Joyce Ann Gravely

Joyce McCrackin Gravely, 88 of Athens, passed away peacefully surrounded by most of her family on September 28, 2023. She is the daughter of Frank P. McCrackin and Ella Fay Nelson McCrackin of Seneca, SC.

Born in Spartanburg, SC, she was raised in Seneca, SC and moved to GA in 1956 where she raised her family in Dekalb County. She and her husband Jim moved to the Athens area in Oconee County in 1986.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Augusta Crooks and brother-in-law Francis Crooks.

Mrs. Gravely is survived by her husband of 70 years, William James Gravely, her son James Michael Gravely (Susan) of Watkinsville, GA, her daughter Virginia Gravely Stanley (John) of Lawrenceville; grandchildren Kathryn Gravely and William Gravely (Caroline) of Athens, Andrew Stanley (Rachel) of Decatur, Austin Stanley of Atlanta, Patrick Cleary (Melanie) of Raleigh, NC and Andrew Cleary of Smyrna, GA; and four great grandchildren: Samuel Middlebrooks, Clara  Gravely, Robert Gravely and Foster Stanley.

In her professional career, in the banking, mortgage lending and real estate industries, she was on the frontline in customer service roles and successfully developed a strong rapport with customers, many of whom became personal friends.

Her passion was her devotion to her Christian faith, her family, a genuine kindness and caring for others and her desire to humbly serve her community. She was an active member and volunteer of First Baptist Church of Athens and was one of the first female members of the First Baptist Board of Deacons. She was a long-time volunteer with the Ladies Auxiliary at Athens Regional Medical Center and was a member of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. (Athens).

A dual Celebration of Life Service for Jim and Joyce will be held at First Baptist Church Athens on Saturday October 21, 2023 with a visitation in the fellowship hall from 1:00 – 2:15 with a service in the sanctuary at 2:30. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Foundation at www.brightfocus.org/ADRmatch .

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com