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Joy Deavours Touchton
9/10/2023
Joy Deavours Touchton of Orange City, Florida (formerly of Winter Haven, Florida) entered into the presence of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at the young age of 82 years on Sunday, September 10th, 2023 in Orange City, Florida surrounded by her loving family.
Joy Deavours was born to the late L.E. Deavours Sr. and Vera Wallace Deavours on October 20th, 1940 in Americus, Georgia. She grew up in Leslie, Georgia where she faithfully attended the Leslie Baptist Church next door to her home. Upon graduation from Union High School in Leslie, she attended Mercer University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English. It was at Mercer University that she also met the man who would become her husband and life partner, Dewey Touchton. Joy and Dewey married on July 1st, 1962 and together raised their two daughters in Winter Haven, Florida. They were married for 60 years until Dewey’s passing in November, 2022.
Joy taught English in the Polk County, Florida public school system at the elementary and middle school levels. She will be remembered most for her unwavering faith in her God. She served God all of her life and was committed to teaching the tenets of her faith to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Joy is survived by her sister Joan Cordell (Jr.) of Georgia, her daughters Terrin Colee (Eric), and Angela Miller (Mike), her grandchildren Joshua Colee (Nicole), Anna Haberer (Luke), Madeline Shane (Dariel), Rhea Lastinger (Jarrett), Jordan Miller (Ashley), Brandon Miller (Desiree), her great grandchildren Austin Lastinger, Owen Lastinger, Olivia Miller, Joanna Miller, Cody Lastinger, Lauren Lastinger, and many loving extended family members.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents, as well as brothers, Wallace Laramore and L.E. “Sonny” Deavours (Emma), and sisters, Jane Bass, June Worsham, and Mary Owens.
Her celebration of life service will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida on Friday, September 15th, 2023 at 11:30 A.M. Lineup is promptly at 11:15AM, for those who would like to attend.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established by Joy’s sister, Joan Cordell at her childhood church, the Leslie Baptist Church in Leslie, Georgia.
Those wishing to contribute may contact the church:
Leslie Baptist Church
106 S. Bailey Ave.
Leslie, GA, 31764
Phone: (229) 874-4410
Reverend Jimmy English