Liller Mae Joy

September 8, 1937 ~ January 30, 2026 (age 88)

On Friday, January 30, 2026, God in his infinite wisdom dispatch an angel to Jackson General Hospital to release the soul of Liller Mae Joy to a place of eternal rest.

Liller Mae Joy was born on September 8, 1937, in Hardeman County, TN to the late Robert “Billy” Brown and Fannie Mae Brown.

At an early age, Liller Mae accepted Christ and was a longtime dedicated member of New Hope Baptist Church, where she faithfully served on the Usher Ministry and as Mother of the Church.

As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, the light of Christ shone brightly throughout her life.

Liller Mae attended school in Hardeman County School System.

She worked as a factory worker in various manufacturing facilities, spending her longest tenure at Harmon automotive. There, she was amongst the most skilled production workers and was well known for often helping others meet their production goals. She devoted more than 30 years of dedicated service before retiring.

On August 15, 1953, she was united in Holy Matrimony to Walter Joy Jr. From this loving union, eleven children were born.

A devoted wife for 67 years, Liller Mae cherished time with her family. She especially enjoyed cooking, sewing, and working in her garden. With a true “green thumb”, she was well known for her ability to make anything grow.

In addition to her parents and husband, Liller Mae was preceded in death by seven siblings, George Brown, Joseph Brown, Charlie Brown, Dave Brown, Gus Brown, Don Brown, and Tom Brown; five sons, Levi Joy, Ted Joy, Walter Joy III, Ned Joy, and Michael Joy; one daughter-in-law, Shirley Jean Mathews Joy; one granddaughter, Mikkell Joy; and one brother-in-law, Clarence Woods.

She leaves to cherish her memories: five sons, Charlie Joy, Otha Joy, Worley Joy, And Eddie (Peggy) Joy, all of Whiteville, TN, and Avery (Thelma) Joy of Grand Junction, TN; one daughter, Patricia (David Jr.) Perry of Saulsbury, TN; one daughter-in-law, Robert Mae Joy. She is also survived by one brother, John H. (Alberta) Brown of Bolivar, TN; four sisters, Clara Woods, Alice Woods, and Sarah Brown Rivers, all of Bolivar, TN, and Peggy (Nathan) Gibbs of Whiteville, TN. She also leaves a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her loving family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.