Joan Bussey Cumbie

With profound sadness and immeasurable love, we announce the passing of our beloved Joan Bussey Cumbie on June 14, 2026, following a fiercely courageous and grace-filled battle with cancer. She was 77 years old and passed peacefully, surrounded by those she loved most. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing she is reunited with the love of her life, Harold, whom she deeply missed after his passing just eleven months earlier.

Joan is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Cumbie Davis and Kevin Davis; her son, Michael Kent Cumbie; her cherished grandchildren, Harper Presley Davis, Raylan Kent Cumbie, and Holden Kent Davis; her sister-in-law, Gina Bussey; her niece, Allison Peavy; her nephew, John Bussey; many beloved Warnkin cousins; and her treasured companion, Prince, a Siberian Forest Cat.

Born on May 27, 1949, in Columbus, Georgia, to the late Emma Eloise and Gordon Bussey, Joan spent much of her childhood in Buckhead and remained rooted in the Atlanta area throughout her life. Her faith, nurtured at Second-Ponce De Leon Baptist Church, shaped the kindness, generosity, compassion, and unwavering devotion that defined the woman she became.

Alongside her beloved husband, Harold, Joan helped build their commercial restroom hygiene franchise from the ground up, growing it into the largest commercial hygiene business on the East Coast. Together, they devoted decades of hard work, integrity, and unwavering commitment, creating not only a successful business but a lasting legacy that reflected the strength of their partnership.

Joan never met a stranger. She had an extraordinary gift for making everyone feel welcome, valued, and loved. Her infectious laugh, vibrant personality, spice for life, generous heart, and unforgettable sense of humor brightened every room she entered. Known by many as the life of the party, she formed lifelong friendships and created cherished memories wherever she went.

A longtime member of ClubCorp, including The Manor and White Columns Country Clubs, Joan treasured gathering with family and friends over a glass of wine. She loved shopping, boating with her family, cheering on Auburn University, discovering new restaurants with Harold, and celebrating life’s everyday moments with the people she loved.

Nothing in life, however, compared to the joy she found in being “Mimi.”

Her grandchildren—Harper, Raylan, and Holden—were the center of her world. Joan didn’t simply love them; she lived for them. She never missed a sporting event, cheerleading performance, school event, doctor’s appointment, birthday, or milestone. She was always present without hesitation. She celebrated every victory, comforted every disappointment, and made each grandchild feel like the most important person in the world. To her children, and grandchildren, she was their greatest champion—the one who dropped everything when they needed her and loved with a depth that words can never fully express. Being their Mimi was her greatest honor and life’s greatest joy.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park Sunrise Chapel in Sandy Springs. The family will welcome guests beginning at 12:30 p.m. with entombment to follow.

Joan’s life was a beautiful testament to faith, grace, and unconditional love. Her greatest joy was caring for those she loved, and her greatest legacy is the family who will carry her love forward. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the lives she touched, and the memories that will forever make us smile. She will be loved beyond words, missed beyond measure, and remembered always.