Arthur Lee Joy

Arthur Lee Joy was born October 10, 1940 in Batesville, Mississippi to the late Willie Joy, Sr., and Leeolur Childs Joy. He peacefully transitioned this life on Saturday morning, January 28, 2023 at Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock, Arkansas surrounded by his loving wife and family.

The Joy family moved to Arkansas when Arthur was just a small boy. There he joined St. John Baptist Church under the leadership of the honorable Rev. Robert Vanderbilt, Sr. Arthur adored his father! He learned to fish and hunt by spending time with his father. He attended grade school in Ethel, Arkansas and went on to become a proud 1959 graduate of Immanuel High School in Almyra, Arkansas.

Arthur enlisted in the military in 1961, joining the United States Army. He was deployed to faraway places like Manila, Korea and Germany. Upon return to the states, he worked as a laborer in the fields of Arkansas County. But wanting more out of life, when opportunity beckoned, he joined the Great Migration north in 1967 during one of the worst winter storms in Chicago! He found work as a parking lot attendant, later sending for his family to join him. Because he had greater ambitions, he later applied for and landed a job with the Chicago Transit Authority, where he worked as a city bus driver until his retirement. While living in Chicago, Arthur’s favorite hobby was bowling, and he has many trophies to attest his ability.

After his father’s passing, Arthur moved back home to Arkansas to help take care of his mother. He enjoyed a more peaceful life doing some of the things he enjoyed most...going to church, singing, fishing, hunting, and being with family. He settled in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and joined Allen Temple Baptist Church, of which he was a member until his death. He and his wife Barbara helped run the Food Pantry at the church. A job they took on willingly to help serve the church and the community.

He is preceded in death by his son, Dwight Alexander Joy, Sr., father, Willie Joy, Sr., brothers Willie Joy, Jr., Micheal A. Joy, and Jeffrey J. Joy.

Arthur leaves to mourn his passing his devoted wife Barbara Whitaker-Joy of Stuttgart, AR; daughters Connie Joy, Katherine Jacko (Steve), Robin Kimbrough (Raymond), and Danielle Whitaker, all of Chicago, IL; sons Aaron Joy (Bonetta) and Robert Whitaker (Marquita), both of Chicago, IL; six grandchildren; one great grandson; mother Mrs. Leeolur Joy of Ethel, AR; sisters Theresa Mays of Harvey, IL, Ethel Glees of Stuttgart, AR, Earlene Knighten of Ethel, AR, Ruth McPherson of DeWitt, AR, and Mary Richardson of Little Rock, AR; brothers Robert Joy of DeWitt, AR, Kenneth Joy of Ethel, AR, and James Joy (Patricia) of Little Rock, AR; uncle Willie Coppage (Honey) of Chicago, IL; former wife Emma Brown-Joy of Chicago, IL; and many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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