Joyce Boy Hamilton

Joyce Fay Boy Hamilton passed away peacefully in her home June 29, 2026, following an illness. She was preceded in death by her parents George Lafayette "Fay" Boy and Blanche Katherine Boy; Brothers James William "Jay" Boy and George Edward Boy (Laura); Sisters Martha Daris Martin (Dale) and Betty Anne Boy.

She is survived by her daughters Lisa Fay Hamilton Phipps (Clark) and Lori Hamilton Dykes (Larry); Grandson Cody Clark Phipps and Great Granddaughter Chloe Nicole Raine Phipps.

Joyce was born on September 9, 1938, in the Boones Creek Community. She attended Boones Creek School for 12 years. As a young girl she was active in 4H and FFA and was an accomplished seamstress winning local and state competitions. She loved to cook and can. Throughout her life she was known for entertaining people in her home. She loved to travel and spend time "in the water," both at the lake and pool.

Singing was a passion she discovered in her youth. She began singing in church to glorify her Savior at Boones Creek Baptist Church and continued first at Valley Hills Baptist Church and Volunteer Baptist where she was a member. After retiring she performed with the Bristol Senior Show Choir.

Upon her graduation in 1956 as Salutatorian of her class, she moved to Knoxville and attended East Tennessee Baptist School of Nursing. Upon graduation in 1959, she married Berwyn Lynn "Dick" Hamilton and returned to Bristol. She then began what she considered the two most important roles of her life- becoming a mother and obtaining her Registered Nursing license.

Until her girls went to school, she was a full-time mother. She then went to work at Bristol Memorial Hospital in the ICU, CCU and Recovery Room. In 1970 she accepted a position as a Public Health nurse in Sullivan County where she worked in all fields including Home Health. She became Director of School Health for five years and followed as Maternal Child Health Director for four years. In 1994 she became Regional Nursing Director.

During her tenure she helped start Family Planning, WIC Clinic Care Coordination Programs such as HUGS and Families First and the first Home Health Provider Program. She was one of the key players in TennCare and the Alcohol and Drug Management Program. She was instrumental in the creation of the school nurse program in Sullivan County, and served as adjunct Nursing Faculty at ETSU. She served as a member of various Health and Nursing related Boards, including Tennessee State Employees Association.

She lived a life of service to others- for her family, for regional healthcare, and as a leader for Tennessee State employees and medical professionals.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society.

The family will receive friends and family on July 7, 2026, at Monte Vista Funeral Home, from 12:00 pm until 1:30 pm. Funeral services will follow afterwards in the chapel. A Graveside Committal Service will be held at Monte Vista Funeral Home, 1900 E. Oakland Ave, Johnson City, TN 37601, US, on July 7, 2026, at 2:00 pm.