Joyce Wandalene Dennison

Joyce Wandalene Dennison was born on July 4, 1942, the youngest child of James and Lillie (Cooksey) Buster. Being raised on the family farm in rural Albany, Kentucky soon after the U.S. joined World War II was not an easy life, but she brought laughter and a sparkle to all who knew her. Joyce learned the value of hard work but always dreamed of more. As a young teenager, she especially loved white high heels, painted fingernails, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley.

Joyce met a young rascal named Jimmy Dailey while playing croquet at her uncle’s home in Louisville; they married in 1960 and together raised four children. Their marriage was challenging, full of ups and downs, and after two decades they went their separate ways. Soon after, Joyce attended a Parents Without Partners gathering and met Paul “Eddie” Dennison, a sweet loving man and eternal jokester who became the love of her life and life partner in 1983.

While this blended family sometimes struggled to make ends meet, Joyce and Eddie’s obvious love for and dedication to each other was never questioned. Even after his death seven years ago, Eddie would often come to Joyce in her dreams and their forever love continued to comfort her through many health challenges until she passed peacefully on January 1, 2022.

Though bittersweet we know Joyce is in a better place and she has joyfully joined Eddie, her parents, siblings, and sons-in-law, Jerry Minton and Chad Downs. But she will be sorely missed by those friends and family who remain and were fortunate to know her love, friendship, and ready smile: Jimmy Dailey of Louisville, KY; sister-in-law Ruth Wade Buster of Albany, KY; children: Lisa Schrimsher (Ken) of Decatur, AL, Ladonna Minton, Anthony Dailey, and Dana Leonard (Randy), of Louisville, KY; step-children: Wendy Vitzenty of Bethesda, MD, Rhonda Dennison of Martinsburg, WV, Scott Smith, Paul Dennison (Paula), and Michelle Downs, of Louisville, KY; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Joyce’s family considers ourselves lucky to have loved her for so long and happily choose to celebrate her fulfilled life with friends from 10 am until 2 pm on Friday, January 7th, 2022, at Schoppenhorst Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home (Preston Highway at Brooks Road) immediately followed by her private burial at Highland Memory Gardens in Mt. Washington. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Helen Keller International. Helen Keller International Donations