Helen Joy

Helen K Joy was born to George and Velma Karropulos on Jan 31, 1923. As a young girl she grew up eating hamburgers, one of her favorite foods, since her father owned a restaurant in Memphis, TN. The name was shortened to Karris since she had a difficult time in school spelling her last name. While attending South Side High School in Memphis she became active as a cheerleader, an alumna of Delta Mu Epsilon and voted Best Looking and Most Popular of the senior class. After graduation she attended Miller Hawkins Business College and eventually went to work for McKesson Robbins. She married William R. Joy after completing his military service in World War II. Having married a Flight Officer/ Instructor she soon moved to Casper, Wyoming. After Mr. Joy’s honorable discharge from the military she moved back to Memphis where the couple began their family. She was employed by General Electric, Motorola Communications and Electronics Division, and also a runway model for shoes. When Motorola moved their division to Birmingham, Helen came along. After serving many years as office manager, she soon moved to sales where she was awarded top sales person for car telephones prior to cell phones. For over 40 years she remained a resident of Hoover, AL where she soon met the love of her life Wilton E. Dyson Jr. They spent many years together enjoying dancing at The Club and participating in The Sertoma Club of Birmingham. They loved traveling the world together and meeting new friends – Helen never met a stranger. Her love for life was exceptional. She so enjoyed her gardening and loved her little Jack Russell Terrier, Jack. After a long struggle with a heart attack and stroke, she finally succumbs to life’s end on November 19, 2016. She leaves behind two children, Brenda Joy Arthur and William R. Joy Jr.; four grandchildren, William “Trey” M. Bell Jr., Louis K Bell (Angie), William R. Joy III, and Christine Joy; and four great grandchildren, Andrew Bell, Haley Bell, Conner Bell, and Madison Bell. Services will be on Tuesday November 22, 2016 at Southern Heritage Funeral Home at 6pm with a visitation starting at 5pm. There will be a reception immediately following the service at Greystone Country Club. Interment in Memphis, TN at Memorial Park Cemetery on Poplar Ave.