Joyce Marie Lavender

Joyce Marie Lavender, age 75, a resident of Daphne, Alabama, passed away Monday, February 7, 2022.

Joy is preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bobby” Lavender, her parents James Norris Hicks, Sr. & Nettie Crouch Hicks, brothers James Norris Hicks, Jr., Aubrey Gene Hicks (JoAnn), Douglas Gerald Hicks, Larry Hicks, and Donald Robert Hicks; and a sister-in-law, Nelda Hicks.

Joy is survived by her daughters, Annette Dowdle, Sonya Cuervo (deceased Richard); stepson, Bobby Jr. Lavender (Tonya); grandchildren, Ricky Cuervo, Cole Dowdle, Katelyn Dowdle, Jackie Dowdle, Dakota Lavender, Macayla Lavender; brothers, Garry Hicks (deceased Nelda), Woody Hicks (Brenda) and sister-in-law, Linda Gail Hicks (deceased Donnie).

Joyce Marie Hicks Lavender was the only daughter and youngest child of Norris and Nettie Hicks.  She had seven older brothers…. need I say more.

Joy attended DeArmanville Junior High School where she was chosen to represent DJHS as a cheerleader.  She went on to graduate from Oxford High School in 1964.

Joy loved being front and center as was evidenced by her constant dancing, singing and by her yearly participation in the Mardi Gras activities.  She never met a stranger and was always surrounded by family and friends.  She loved people and loved them wholeheartedly.

Her children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, and nephews were always in her heart and on her mind…. BUT she cherished most her life with “Her Bobby” and grieved his passing every day since 2011.

Joy retired after working over 30 years as an Insurance Agent with Allstate Insurance.

Joy was an avid and lifelong Alabama Football Fan.  She was one of the best armchair coaches around.  She supported the Crimson Tide in the great and not so great times with the same intensity.  “Roll Tide” was her greeting.

Her fur babies, or her “Girls” can NOT be left out.  Zoe and Jovi were her constant companions and her loving sidekicks for the last few years.

Joy had a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior.  She was a member of Daphne Baptist Church Fellowship.  During COVID, she enjoyed listening to her great-nephew preach.  She considered LifePoint Church her “Online Church Home”.

Though her home was in South Alabama for the last half of her life, she always had a special connection to the Choccolocco Valley in Northeast Alabama.

Joy had a habit of ending her texts or phone calls with “Love You Bunches”.  She meant it and the sound of those words will echo throughout eternity.

Until we meet again, “Love You Bunches, Joy, Love You Bunches”.

Services will be held at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. at 11am on February 15th with visitation starting at 10am at 27409 US Hwy 98, Daphne, AL 36526.

Pallbearers will be Mund Hansen, John Dowdle, Cole Dowdle, Billy Laubenthal, Ricky Cuervo, and George Santos.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Daphne Baptist Church, 1515 6th Street, Daphne, AL 36526. Their phone number is 251-626-2215.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

WOLFE-BAYVIEW

FUNERAL HOMES

& CREMATORY, INC.

19698 GREENO RD.

FAIRHOPE AL. 36532

(251) 990-7775