Joy Meyer Obituary

Joy Sumner Meyer, a resident of Alexandria, Louisiana for over five decades, passed away on St. Valentine's Day 2013 at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans after a brief final illness. A genuine daughter of the Delta, Joy was born on August 29, 1933 in Sumner, Mississippi to Louise Robinson Sumner and Paul Creekmore Sumner. Joy graduated from West Tallahatchie High School in 1951, attended Mississippi State College for Women, receiving a Bachelor of Arts from the "W" in 1955, and obtained a Masters of Fine Arts from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University in 1956. While teaching in Port Arthur, Texas, Joy met James L. Meyer, who was working as a chemical engineer for Gulf Oil Corporation. They married in 1957 and by 1962 were living in Alexandria near Jimmy's hometown of Tioga when they welcomed their first child, Mary Laura, followed by their son Carter Peyton, in 1969. Joy loved the roles of mother and then grandmother to her grandsons, James Peyton Toups, son of Mary and her husband, Tony Toups of New Orleans, and Sumner Meyer, son of Carter Meyer of Huntsville, Texas and Misty Craven of Houston, as well as her step-grandchildren, Alyse Toups Mouledoux of New Orleans and Stephen Toups of Baton Rouge. Joy worked for many years in Central, Louisiana as a residential and commercial interior designer, continuing to accept clients well into her late 70's. She also worked in various media as an artist, including paint, wood and clay. Joy was a true partner with her husband and was a driving force with Jimmy in establishing the Alexandria-based civil engineering firm, Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix and Hixson. She took great pride in the firm's growth and ongoing success, as well as her design of the firm's longtime headquarters building. After Jimmy died unexpectedly in 1998, Joy continued to support their many civic endeavors. Particularly important to Joy was Jimmy's work as the first Chairman of the England Airpark Authority, where he spearheaded the groundbreaking conversion of the England Air Force Base into a multi-use commercial and residential development. Their community work culminated when Joy spoke at the 2011 dedication ceremony for the James L. Meyer Terminal at the Alexandria International Airport located in the Airpark. She is survived by one of her siblings, June Sumner Glenn of Crawfordsville, Arkansas, as well June's children: Morry Glenn of Conway, Arkansas and Luann Glenn of Little Rock; the children of her deceased sister, Taylor Sumner Spradling of Clarksdale, Mississippi: Sumner Spradling of Browns Summit, North Carolina and his wife, Risa, and Scott Spradling of Lambert, Mississippi and his wife, Nita; and the children of her deceased brother, Creekmore Sumner, and his wife, Mattie Bass Sumner of Newton Grove, North Carolina: Lynn Sumner Motz of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, Leigh Sumner of Newton Grove, and Lorri Sumner of Wilmington, North Carolina. Joy is also survived by her first cousins, Bob Bailey of Sumner and Dr. Wiley Hutchins of Columbus, Mississippi. Joy lived her Christian faith as an enduring member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Alexandria. She participated in many civic and cultural activities, serving on the boards of various charities in Alexandria, including the YWCA and the Arts Council. Joy also was an Area Leader for the Girl Scouts, served as a docent at Kent Plantation House and was a supporter of the River Oaks Arts Center in Alexandria. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 23 at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, preceded by a visitation in the Parish Hall. Times will be announced. A celebration of remembrance of Joy's life of love, family and friendship will be held in Sumner, Mississippi on Saturday, March 2, starting with a luncheon at the Bayou Bend Country Club where lifelong friend and author Patti Carr Black will speak followed by the spreading of Joy's ashes in the Delta. To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

Published by The Advocate from Feb. 16 to Feb. 23, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joy Meyer

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I just heard and wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Shonnette

Shonnette Cannon

February 25, 2013

Dear Family,
I learned of Joy's passing today via a letter from June. I told my family at church. We are all saddened. Joy was a bright spot in our lives with her vivacious personality. She and June visited here not long before my mother passed away. We all loved our cousins from the Delta! My mother, Margaret Louise Hutchins Israel, frequently expressed her love for her cousins Joy and June in the most sincerest of terms. Their visit was one of her most memorable moments! You all have our love. We know your loss and are very sorry for your grief. As with my mother, I know that the passing of time with the loving remembrances of her will shadow these moments of grief with wonderful memories of her life. I remain your Georgia Cousin,
Love,
David Hutchins Israel
819 Lee Road
Macon, Georgia, 31204

David Israel

February 24, 2013

With deepest and most heartfelt sympathies. An incredible lady that will be missed. Many prayers for you and the family while you grieve with hope knowing that your wonderful mom stands in Greatness with Christ.

Elizabeth Hill

February 23, 2013

Mary, we are so saddened by your loss. You and your family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.

Ashley Vail

February 23, 2013

Carter,
I don't know if you'll remember me, but we went to school together. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Know that I am praying for you and your family. Sending you Peace and Light in this dark time.

Heather Tisdale

February 20, 2013

Carter, thinking of you and sending my sympathies. I emailed the obituary to Heather.
Becky Tisdale

Becky Tisdale

February 19, 2013

Although you were older than I, we had some great times growing up in Sumner.
May the Lord be with your family in this time of sorrow.

Joe Partridge

February 19, 2013

My memories of the afternoons my Mom and Joy spent drinking tea and laughing are so vibrant. What a lusty laugh Joy had! And she was a great story teller, in her particularly thick Southern Mississippi accent. They were wonderful friends and my Mother treasured that. I can remember Joy helping in the kitchen before, during and after gatherings that my Mother had. She could always be counted on. Joy was also so willing to share her amazing decorating talents,so much so that she created the table for wedding gifts in our family home after my Mother passed just prior to my wedding. Joy loved to recount to me her time with Jimmy in El Paso, when he was stationed here. To my delight, I had re-established contact with Joy in the last few years. I am so fortunate to have had her in my life as I grew. She, in turn, was fortunate to have had such a wonderful relationship with Mary, who fully supported her through many recent health issues. Deepest sympathies to Mary and Carter Peyton. I'm happy for Joy, though. She loved her Jimmy and they are reunited in the company of her Lord and God.

Leslie Ponthie Gorman

February 19, 2013

Dear Mary and Aunt June, so sorry for the loss of Aunt Joy! I cherish the memories from my childhood with Daddy's sisters. Our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.

Lynn Motz and family

February 19, 2013

Mary,
We loved your mother - she was a delight and a wonderful conversationalist! Her strength and character were unmistakeable! We will miss her! Our thoughts and prayer are with you and your family!

John and Emily Anjier

February 19, 2013

On behalf of the Frank Family we send our prayers and love to the Meyer family. My grandmother Gloria and Mrs. Meyer shared a friendship filled with love, laughter and "Joy" that will never be forgotten.

Ronnie Frank

February 18, 2013

Joy was true to her name. She was shere joy! We will miss her dearly but We also know that she is happy because she is back with her beloved Jimmy.

Bobbi Hess

February 18, 2013

Mary and Carter, So sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. She was a true "Joy". I always enjoyed working with her at St. Timothy's.

Willene Jordan

February 18, 2013

The angels and Jimmy are rejoicing as they welcome my dear and faithful friend into her glorious new Home in Heaven. That constant light in her eyes and beautiful smile will never be forgotten. We will miss her so - I am so proud to be able to call her "dear friend" and will always hold dear the special place I have for her in my heart. The obituary, Mary, was so well done and so like you and your Mom! Very tender and loving.

Gail Deith (formerly Hixson)

February 18, 2013

May God bless you and strengthen you through your loss. Aunt Joy lived a full, vibrant, and accomplished life.
With love and in sympathy, Leigh and children

February 17, 2013

MARY, Your MOTHER loved you and her FAMILY. My Prayers with sympathy.
Your Cousin

AL JONES

February 17, 2013

This is for June, contact me [email protected] [ Macel and Hazel Newton

February 17, 2013

You were a Joy to grow up with along with June, Taylor,Creekmore, pleasant memories, Macel Newton and siblings ,Memphis,Tn

Anne Macel Newton Newton

February 17, 2013

So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. May your heart be warmed by all the wonderful memories you have. The obituary was beautifully written and sheds much light on the the full life she lived. Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Jennifer & Greg Hurley

Jennifer Hurley

February 17, 2013

Sweet Mary,

I am so sorry to hear about your mother. She was such a
great lady, and so full of life! My thoughts and prayers are
with you.

Much Love,

Paige Nelson Pebbles

February 17, 2013

A very special person is now in Heaven. She will be surely be missed at the beauty shop. Hard to believe that mom's very 1st customer in the U.S. is gone. She was one of our favorite people and always told me that my shampoos were better than my mother's. Thoughts and prayers are with family and friends. She is now in Heaven with her husband and that is something to rejoice about. On my next trip to Alabama,in March, I'll be sure to pat your husband on the head again at the airport.

Marcome Yates

February 17, 2013

Dear friend, we will miss u immensely. Love to Mary and Carter.

Jane Chaney

February 17, 2013

Donzal Langsto.

February 17, 2013

Truly a great lady and friend. She will be sadly missed.

Mrs Donzal Langston

February 17, 2013

May you find comfort from God

February 17, 2013

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