Joy Marie Wiltshire, 71, a native of Jackson, Miss., and resident of Gulf Shores, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007, at the home of her daughter, Patti Reineke in Tampa, Fla., after a nine-month long illness with lung cancer.
She was born Dec. 20, 1935, in Jackson, Miss., to J.C. and Patsy Wellons. She grew up and attended junior high and high school in Jackson and went on to attend Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus, Miss., majoring in psychology. She was a member of the Psychology Club and a member of the Zouave drill team. During this time she met and married her husband, Robert Ellison Wiltshire from Mississippi State University.
Joy, the name so perfectly described her, loved God, life and living. Some of her passions included golf, arts and crafts, (junking as she would call it), nature, gardening and of course her family and friends. She leaves a legacy of compassion, love and empathy for her family and friends. Heaven has truly received a special angel to help watch over us. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have known her have all been touched by her fun loving free spirit, wonderful smile and her genuine gift for caring. She was very much loved and will be missed as we are left with the wonderful memories we all shared during her life.
She was prececed in death by her parents, J.C. and Patsy Wellons; and her husband, Robert Ellison Wiltshire.
Survivors include a daughter, Patti (Rick) Reineke of Tampa, Fla.; son, Robert (Lisa) Wiltshireall of Tampa; five grandchildren, Sarah Reineke, Matthew Reineke, Andrew Wiltshire, Carson Wiltshire and Lauren Wiltshire; brother, Kennard Wellons of Lexington, Ky.; nieces, nephews, other relatives, numerous dear friends and acquaintances.
A graveside memorial service for family and friends will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 at Bayview Memorial Park, Scenic Highway, Pensacola, Fla.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 19059 Grenno Road Suite A, Fairhope, AL 36532.
