Joy Hatley Pittard

Joy Hatley Pittard passed away peacefully at Rex Hospital on Sunday morning September 28th surrounded by her family. Joy had recently turned 91 and enjoyed exceptional health until the last months of her life. She was born on August 20, 1934, in Dunn to Lewis and Eston Hatley. Mr. Hatley worked for the construction company TA Loving, and the family lived in several towns including Beaufort NC during this time and eventually settled in Cary. Joy graduated from Cary High School in 1952 and later received an Associate Certificate from St. Mary’s College. Joy was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 59 years, Charles Pittard and her sister Ann Hatley Williams.

Joy’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. Joy was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Cary for many years, and as a youth was a member of Ephesus Baptist Church in Raleigh. Shortly after marriage, she and Charles lived in Henderson where they were members of First Baptist Church in Henderson. Joy held many positions over the years and loved teaching youth then adult Sunday School later in life.

Joy and Charles had two daughters, Lynda Pittard Bryson (Dan), and Rebecca “Becky” Pittard Hillsgrove (David). She had five grandchildren, Hunter Bryson, Davis Bryson (Lauren), Kelley Habbal (Karim), Jonathan Hillsgrove, and Kimberlen Bryson. She had two great-grandchildren, Sienna Bryson and Archie Habbal. She was a second mother to her late sister Ann’s children, Marshall Williams, Cindy Morris (Leo), and Chris Williams (Tammy). She was also close to Charles’ brother Louis and Janet Pittard, her nephew Michael Pittard (Jean) and her first cousins Gayle Queen and Linda Jackson Campbell. She is also survived by many grand and great nieces and nephews.

Joy had many passions outside her family and church including reading biographies, visiting historical sites, going to concerts, watching old movies, and listening to music.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm at Apex Funeral Home, 550 W Williams St., Apex, NC. A Celebration of Life will begin at the funeral home chapel at 2:00 pm, with interment to follow at Apex Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home at PO Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361 or online at http://www.bchfamily.org/

If you would like to leave a favorite memory of Joy or a message of condolence to her family, you may do so below within "Add a Memory".