Betty Jo “Joy” Blevins (née Garrison), age 76, of Crossville, went to be with the Lord on January 7, 2021 with her family by her side. She was born March 25, 1944 to the late Elbert and Ruby Garrison. She is survived by her loving husband, Ralph Walden Blevins, of almost 60 years. She was the amazing mother of Kris King (Rush), of Knoxville, TN; and Kim Barnett (John), of Thomson, GA. She was the proud Grandy of granddaughters Callie Ann Barnett, Anna Fulmer, Ashley Woods, Jaclyn Evans, and Audrey Mills.
Joy leaves behind a huge, loving family including sisters Susie Farley, Lillie Mae Garrison, Peggy Barnes, and brothers Elbert Garrison, Jr and Charles Sonny Garrison. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and special friends Delores (Smith) Hickerson, Margaret Judd, and Linda Kerley. However, anyone who knew Joy almost immediately became part of her family. Joy was preceded in death by her sister Emogene Threet and brothers D.M. Garrison, Otis Garrison, and James “Jimmy” Garrison.
Joy was the epitome of her name: a true joy! She always made sure that her family and friends were cared for and looked after. She made everyone around her happy because she saw the good in everyone. Letter writing was one of her love languages and she was constantly sending cards, whether for a special occasion or just to let someone know she was thinking of them. She said that there was a special happiness about opening your mailbox to find a letter or card, especially if it was unexpected. She wanted the people she cared about to know they were important enough to her to find a card, write a note, address an envelope, put a stamp on it, and then mail it. It was a dear and precious gift from her!
Joy married Ralph on July 18, 1961 while he was still in the Marine Corps. She was a military wife and then she became a stay at home mom while Ralph traveled for work with TVA. They found a way not only to make it work, but they made it look easy. Joy made their home the place that everyone felt welcome and she made sure that family was always a priority.
Joy loved animals, especially her dogs and cats. Elvis Presley was her favorite singer and bluegrass was her favorite kind of music. She loved reading books, listening to talk radio, and talking about Callie Ann. Her favorite pastime was going to yard sales, especially with her sisters. While she loved to find a bargain, she mostly loved meeting new people and seeing old friends. Joy had a unique way of making anyone she met feel like they had known her forever. Perfect strangers would just start talking to her no matter where she was and, by the time they parted ways, she knew their life story and they left feeling they had made a new friend. Joy was full of life, laughter, and love! She was an angel on earth!!
Visitation will be at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, January 11, 2021 from 1-2 pm with funeral services to follow at 2:00pm then graveside services immediately following at the City Cemetery. Please know the family understands that, due to the COVID-19 virus, friends & family may prefer not to attend.