Joy M. Malone

Ms. Malone completed Camp Creek High School in 1963. She went on to earn a teaching degree with a physical education major and a minor in health from East Tennessee State University in 1967, where she was also named to the Dean’s List. She taught at West Greene High School in Greene County briefly before joining the U.S. Air Force.

The family stated that Ms. Malone was a lifelong learner. Upon entrance into the USAF, she attended the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C. and earned an AS degree in Medical Technology. Shortly thereafter and as she continued up the ranks of the Air Force; she completed the Special Investigations Training School provided by the U.S. Government.

After attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, she completed Officer Training School and USAF Office of Special Investigations School in Washington, D.C. Simultaneously, she earned a degree in Forensic Science. She earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant and served as Special Agent/Counter-Intelligence Officer on felony investigations in Washington, D.C. She was also a member of the Federal Criminal Investigations Association. She was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1978. Ms. Malone continued service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve under the rank of Captain. Her service took her to many locations both inside and outside the United States, according to the family.

After leaving the USAFR, Ms. Malone worked for six years as Australian Ambassador to Ireland in Dublin, Ireland. It was there that she provided security, supervision of staff, and organizing special events for visiting dignitaries. The family stated that Joy loved Ireland and all its beauty and had always hoped to relocate there some day.

In the meantime, she returned to the United States where she lived in California for several years before returning back to East Tennessee, residing in Knoxville. She was a crime scene investigator in the Knoxville Police Department until declining health forced her to leave employment. Even when her health dictated she be at home, she received her Tennessee Realtor’s License and was a member of the Board of Realtors Association. Ms. Malone loved dogs, family research thru genealogy, hiking, fishing, going to yard sales and antiques. Because of health issues, she relocated to Laughlin Healthcare Center in February, 2010. In 2012, she was honored by the Tennessee Health Care Association as a member of the Who’s Who in Tennessee Long-term Care for lifetime achievements.

Joy Malone was preceded in death by her parents, George Lee Malone and Kenneth and Dorothy Renner Lane. She is survived by a loving sister and niece who daily cared for her after she moved to Greeneville, Hilda Sue Malone Belt and her daughter, Joyce Belt Hopson. She is also survived by one brother, LeRoy Malone and wife, June and family of Dandridge, two half-brothers, Mike Lane and wife, Karen and family, and George William Malone and wife, Sharon and family, one step-sister, Patsy Riddle and husband, Jay and family. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, David Belt and a special “nephew”, Denny Hopson, all of Greeneville. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews and a very special four-legged friend, Wilson, who brought her much joy while at Laughlin Healthcare Center.

The family will receive friends Monday November 25, 2013 from 4pm-6pm at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Mike Lane, Denny Hopson, Gary Gridley, William Malone, Bobby Malone, Charles Malone, and Jay Riddle. A special military graveside service will be conducted by the Greene County Honor Guard on Tuesday November 26, 2013 at 10am and interment facilitated by Reverend Clarence Gammill, at the Monument Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society, P.O. Box 792, Greeneville, TN 37743.

The family would also like to express special thanks to the many friends, caregivers, and staff at Laughlin Healthcare Center and to Dr. Carla Nickles.