Joyce Elizabeth Atchley, 84, of Ringgold, died on Sunday, August 13, 2017, with her devoted daughters and her pastor by her side. Joyce had been a faithful member of Boynton Baptist Church until Parkinson's made it necessary for her to move to NHC Rossville, where she received excellent care. She was a member of the Ringgold Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #245, where she served as a former Worthy Matron.
Joyce was a quiet person, but she lived her life for Christ and taught a ladies' Sunday School class for many years. She retired as assistant manager from Crown Craft in order to help rear her two grandsons, who were the lights of her life.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of nearly sixty years, Paul Wayne Atchley; her beloved son, Paul Jeffrey Atchley; her parents, John Henry Eslinger, Sr. and Eva Davis Eslinger; and sisters Emma Lois Roberts and Ann Weatherby of Texas and Martha Long of Ringgold.
Joyce is survived by daughters Marsha (Larry) Brumlow of Chattanooga and Beverly Stewart of Ringgold, both of whom cared daily for their mother; beloved grandsons Thomas Paul Stewart of Athens, Ga., and Dustin Lance Stewart of Spring Hill, Tn., and special granddaughter-in-law, Anna Michelle Stewart of Spring Hill. Also surviving are sister Frances Johnson of Gum Log, Ga., and brother John Henry Eslinger, Jr. of Ringgold, several nieces and nephews, along with her special Florida cousins who were so dear to her.
Funeral services will be at noon Thursday in the chapel at Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory on Battlefield Parkway in Ft. Oglethorpe with Joyce's friend and pastor, Dr. Keith McLeod officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boynton Baptist Youth Fund or to Christ's Chapel Care and Share in Ringgold.
The family would like to thank NHC Rossville and especially Amanda, Joann, April, and Deborah for their excellent personal care; special friend Carrie Kelley at NHC; Hospice of Chattanooga; Dr. Jason Eck and his wonderful staff at the Center for Sports Medicine; and Dr. Michael Dant for his years of excellent care.
The family will receive friends and family 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at Heritage Funeral Home, Battlefield Parkway.