Joy C. Stevens

Joy C. Stevens, affectionately called Joy Bell by her late husband, age 87, of Mansfield, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at Avita Ontario Hospital. Joy was born on July 20, 1931 in Leesville, Ohio. She was the daughter of Willis and Dorothy Livesay.

Joy was a graduate of Shelby Senior High School, and was employed at the Shelby Hospital, now OhioHealth Shelby, as an LPN in the maternity ward. Joy was a faithful member of the Honey Creek Baptist Church where she loved cooking and baking for the many church dinners. Joy was a praying mother who prayed a hedge of protection around her children as they found their way in life, until all came to know Christ. She had a true servants heart, helping others and caring for her husband and children gave Joy much pleasure in life. She was direct and to the point with her children, and never failed to tell them when she disagreed with them. The best baker ever, Joy always has homemade goodies to share when you came to visit her at her home. She was always willing to teach her talent of baking and canning with the younger generation. She loved time spent with her children and her many grandchildren. Often they would go to visit her and leave with something delicious she had baked just for them. She was always busy and doing something. She loved baking, enjoyed canning, making jellies, jams and the most delicious apple butter, and tending to her flowers. Joy lived a life where no one could ever question that her eternal home would be in Heaven. She will be missed by everyone that knew her and within the church.

Left to cherish many fond memories of Joy are her children, Sharon Wetzel, Ronnie (Uneeda) Stevens, Donnie (Joanne) Stevens, Teresa (Mike) Smith, David (Brenda) Stevens, and Danny (Angela) Stevens; fifteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; fourteen great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Carol (Jerry) Sims; and her church family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving and faithful husband of 67 years, Ercil Stevens; a son-in-law, Butch Wetzel; four sisters, Sue, Arlene, Genny and Dorothy; and a brother, Maynard Livesay.

Family and friends may visit at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington Springmill Road, from 5:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2019. Pastor Paul Staton and Pastor Gary Lambert will officiate the funeral service on Friday, May 24, 2019 at 11:00 am at Honey Creek Baptist Church, 294 Honey Creek Road East, Bellville. Joy will be laid to rest beside her husband in Oak Grove Memorial Park. Please make memorial contributions to the church.