Joy Cooley, a woman who truly lived out her name, passed away April 17, 2012. Born Joyce Jeanne Carpenter to Claire and Julie Carpenter on April 14, 1927, she was the fifth of six children. Joy was a long term resident of Swanton, OH until moving to Virginia Beach in 1981 where she lived until shortly before her death. Joy lived a full life, learning to depend on God in hard times as well as good ones. She raised, and is survived by, three children, Phil (Kathy) Cooley of Calhan, CO, Elizabeth (Mike) Mann of Swanton, OH, and Dan Cooley, of Virginia Beach, VA. She loved adventure, earning her private Pilot's license in 1972 and hosting "The Woman's Corner" radio program on WPOS-FM in Holland, OH during the 1970's. Joy returned to school at an age when many are "winding down", receiving her Master's Degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach at the age of 57. Joy went on numerous mission trips to places such as India, Belize, Haiti, Turkey, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and even Thailand at the age of 80! She was an active member of Kempsville Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach. Joy was a gifted writer with several published devotional entries and magazine articles. She also used her gift of teaching over the years: teaching English in India, working with Hispanic migrant children, teaching in a literacy program, and serving as a Bible teacher and small group leader. More importantly, Joy was a faithful friend and devoted prayer warrior. Up until age 84, she met weekly in two prayer groups, to pray for missionaries, as well as serving as a part time phone/prayer counselor for the 700 Club. She was also an inspirational role model and wonderful mother, aunt, and grandmother (to Ryan, Stephen, and Suzanne Cooley and Julie and Eric Mann). Joy once said this about her life, "I now know happiness is not dependent on right happenings, but a deep joy based on the knowledge that God loves me and directs my path." She would encourage all of us to do whatever it takes to be able to say the same about our own lives. A celebration of Joy's life will be held at Kempville Presbyterian Church on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at noon. An additional celebration will be held in Michigan this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Kempsville Presbyterian Church (805 Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464) to provide scholarships for those wishing to participate in mission trips like the ones that meant so much to Joy. Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Joyce J. Cooley (Carpenter), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. Service Information Thursday, April 26th, 2012 12:00pm, Kempsville Presbyterian Church 805 Kempsville Road Virginia Beach, VA 23464