Joy Vanlandingham passed away at home in Dayton, Ohio, on March 18, 2023. Joy was born on July 9, 1948 in Richmond, Indiana, the daughter of Efjord and Mary (Henderson) Vanlandingham.
Joy graduated from Richmond High School in 1966 and received an Associate Degree from Indiana University East. She retired from a longtime career with the City of Richmond and later worked for the City of Dayton.
Joy had a gift for telling stories: setting them up with delight, filling them with dramatic pauses and always finishing them off with hilarious flourish and a wicked grin. She was a talented guitarist with a deep appreciation for music, song and poetry. Joy will be remembered by the those who love her with this line from a favorite poem by Nikki Giovanni: “When I am gone remember I smiled.”
Joy was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Cheri Vanlandingham. She is survived by her beloved partner of 50 years, Kay Stanley. Joy and Kay were united in marriage on October 12, 2018.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Community Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Send online condolences to the family via the guestbook at www.communityfamilyfh.com