Glenda Carol Caruthers Joy died after a long and courageous battle with diabetes and heart disease, and went to be with her beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Jan. 17, 2014.

Glenda was born Sept. 29, 1935, in Vicksburg.

She attended Vicksburg schools until 1951, when she and her family moved to Velasco, Texas.  She was a graduate of the Brazosport High School Class of 1954, in Freeport, Texas.

Glenda and her family regularly attended and were active members of Bowmar Avenue Baptist Church in Vicksburg until 1951. Upon arriving in Texas, they became regular active members of Freeport First Baptist Church.

Glenda is survived by her husband of 59 1/2 years, James C. Joy Sr., sons, James Jr. and wife Becky, Bruce and wife Shelly, and Bill and wife Dorothy; daughter Meri and husband Skip Brightwell; five grandsons; three granddaughters; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Drew Joy of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; brother-in-law, George Joy; cousin Tom Caruthers of Vicksburg; and other cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce Kotz Caruthers in 1980, and Willie Gordon Caruthers in 2002.

A brief visitation will be at 9 a.m. followed by a chapel service at 9:30 Saturday, July 19, 2014, at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Cary Stockett, pastor of Crawford Street United Methodist Church officiating.  Interment service will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers may be made in the name of Glenda Carol Caruthers Joy to Crawford Street First United Methodist Church, 900 Crawford St., Vicksburg, MS  39180.

Pallbearers will be her husband, sons, daughter, brother-in-law and cousin.