Joy Allen Stafford

Joy Allen Stafford, 81, died of natural causes on November 17, 2023, at Dyersburg AHC Nursing Home.  Joy was born on November 14, 1942, in Gary, IN to the late Lyman C Allen and Damon H Allen.  She graduated from Dyersburg High School and moved to California in 1960.  She became an airline stewardess for World Airways, then worked as a switchboard operator for Pacific Bell now A T & T and later as a Computer Software Testing Engineer for Positive Communications. She moved back to Dyersburg, TN in 2002 and was employed by First Citizens National Bank.  Joy was a lover of life and caregiver to many animals.  She was a lady of extreme intellect emphasizing loving and caring of all people.  Joy devoted her life to her companions (pets), friends, and family.  Among her companions that gave her extreme happiness were 24 cats and other wildlife animals.  Cat companions include:  Huggie, Tootsie, Bozanog, Beetle Juice, Baby Booper, Little One, Frickles, Furby, Bitty, Toby, Baby, Tiny, Baldy, Cali, Mama Kitty, Snowball Mommy, Snowflake, Silly, Tuxedo, plus more unnamed.  In addition, many food bowls were left outside for the stray cats and other animals.  Definitely a devoted caregiver to her many cats and animals.

Survivors include: Rebecca Gibson, sister, Dyersburg, TN; Lyman Allen, brother, Huntsville, AL; Nieces Karen Noble, Dyersburg, TN; Dina Jackson, Memphis TN; Faith Allen Huntsville, AL; Hope Jones, Rome, GA; Nephew Brian Allen, Huntsville, AL; 7 great nieces; 7 great nephews: Faithful friend and caregiver Adrian Greguras, Newbern, TN; former husband Oliver Stafford, Kihei Maui, Hawaii; stepson Bob Stafford, Moraga, CA; stepdaughter Anne Stafford, Oakland, CA 

Graveside services for Ms. Stafford will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Officiating this service will be Rev. Dr. Cory D. Williams. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. 

The family ask that memorial contributions be directed to Paws to Care, Inc., 945 Harris Road, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024 or the Dyer County Humane Society, P. O. Box 223, Dyersburg, Tennessee 38024.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joy Allen Stafford.

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