Mary Joyce Long Varner

She retired from DuPont in 1971 after 21 years of service. Joy attended Chattanooga Central High School. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Joy was a member of Red Bank Baptist Church and the Hall Sunday School Class. She was an Oriental Lady Shrine, Asebi Court #36. She served as High Priestess from 2002 to 2003. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Betsy Ross Chapter #272.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clark J. and Margurite Stone Long; a brother, Clark Long, Jr; sisters, Charlotte Garner and Margaret Ann Pierce.

Joy is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 53 years, Kenneth Varner; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Ann Kelley; daughter, Aliceson Varner; granddaughter, Kara (Josh) Kelley Burchard; grandson, Austin Rago; great granddaughters, Isabella Burchard and Taylor Burchard; sisters, Dorothy Hodgkins of Rockford, IL and June Jordan of Chattanooga; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Martha Long of Chattanooga; nieces, Mary Ann Smith of Chattanooga and Linda Watts of Smyrna, GA; nephews, David Hodgkins of Rockford, IL and Stephen Jordan of Ooltewah; several close great nieces and nephews and her loving poodle, Zoe.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the North Chapel.

Services for Joy will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at the North Chapel with Dr. Fred Steelman and Rev. Bert Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.