of Conway, AR
February 22, 1935 - August 11, 2022
Joy Leta Day Wilson, 87, passed peacefully on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock. Joy Leta was born in Greenbrier, Arkansas on February 22, 1935 to William Harvis and Floy Mills Day. She was a Christian and a member of Second Baptist Church in Conway, where she treasured her sweet friendships with the members of her Sunday School class as well as the members of the Sr. Adults. She was a very proud graduate of Conway High School and attended Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA). She loved Conway High School and the many close friends she made during her years there. Mrs. Wilson was a very dedicated and efficient high school secretary for many years at England High School. She loved the teachers and high school students and enjoyed assisting them any way she could. The students loved her, many considering her a ''second mom''. She and her husband, Coach Jerry Wilson, enjoyed over 30 years serving the students and teachers at England High School and she was always by his side cheering and supporting the basketball teams he coached, as well as all school sporting events and activities in which he assisted, or her children participated.
Joy Leta was a loving, dedicated and faithful wife to her husband, Jerry, whose little romance began when they were in the first grade together in Greenbrier. After marrying in 1958, as a couple they did everything together and they were a great team of love, support and encouragement to their family. She was an adoring, devoted, self-sacrificing and supportive mother to her children and ''Nana'' to her grandchildren. She was an especially devoted and caring daughter to her parents. Her family was the joy and delight of her life and spending time with them and attending special events in which they participated were always her favorite things to do and brought her much happiness.
Joy Leta is preceded in death by her loving parents; her precious husband of nearly 64 years; special brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert Wilson, David Mahan and Freda Lou Wilson Mobley. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Carol Wilson Short of Conway; son, Jeff Wilson (Laura) of Rogers; precious granddaughters, Amanda and Allison Short of Nashville, Tennessee and Cheney Wilson of Rogers; special sisters-in-law, Nila Wilson of Mena and Margaret Mahan of St. Louis, Missouri; special nieces, LeAnn Wilson Fryar, Amy Wilson Falleur and Laura Mahan Brown and their families; and many special cousins, Mills, Surratt and Day, whom she loved dearly.
A celebration service will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 3:00pm in the chapel of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, with visitation at 2:00pm prior to the service. Burial will follow at Needs Creek Cemetery in Greenbrier.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude and many thanks for the expert, kind and compassionate care provided by the nurses and doctors at Conway Regional Medical Center, most especially Dr. Ahmed Ali and his staff at Noydeen Medical Group. They would also like to thank the staff at Brookdale Assisted Living in Conway and the nurses and care attendants at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Sr. Adult Ministry at Second Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas.
Joy Leta was one of my favorite cousins. She’s been on my mind as of late. I still miss her and always will.
Pat Mills, Paducah, KY
Sweet Susan, Allison and Amanda, we hope you feel our hugs and know that we love You All!
We are saddened to hear about Your precious Mother and Grandmother’s passing, but You know where she is and you will see her againâ¤ï¸
I am so thankful to have met this delightful Lady and Your Sweet Daddy and Grandfather! We can only imagine what they are experiencing now with Jesus!
We love You so much! Continued PrayersðŸ™
Jim and Becky Sempleâ¤ï¸
Susan, I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother. May your faith and sweet memories sustain you during this sad time.
â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ» Brenda
To the Wilson family. Joy Leta was such a sweet lady. Your family will be in our prayers
She was such a sweetheart.
I will definitely miss Mrs. Wilson. She was always so caring and loving at EHS. She will be missed and I would like to give condolences to her family for another great passing of life. 🕊
Jeff and Laura, I’m so sorry for the loss of your loved one. I can tell from her obituary she was a wonderful lady! â¤ï¸
We are so sorry to hear of Joy’s passing. She was an extra special lady. Always a beautiful smile and good conversation. She will be missed. Prayers for all.
Susan an Jeff we are thinking of you in this time of sorrow. Love Steve, CYNTHIA
Sorry to hear of Joy's passing. I remember her from Conway High School. We were in typing class together. I also remember her husband, Jerry Wilson, from Greenbriar. Not so many of our classmates are surviving.
Sympathy and condolonces to the family.
Joy Leta’s mom was daughter of my aunt Mattie.and was first cousin to me. I’m sorry for your loss.
My heart is both broken and joyful for you, Susan, Jeff, and family. I have so many wonderful memories of my formative years, when you came into my life in the fifth grade, and your Momma was like a second Momma to me. I always felt so welcomed and loved when I stayed the night at your home, and your precious Momma was a big part of the reason why. You’re in my heart and prayers, and praise God that this is only a separation of time until we’re all together again. â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ðŸ’”💔
I am so sorry to hear about Joy, she was a sweetheart,always kind and had a genuine love of life and family! Love and prayers to the family!