Joyce Ann Ravan of Clermont passed away peacefully at the age of 87 at her residence, on October 1, 2024, following a period of declining health. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Christian Hill Baptist Church, Clermont, Ga. Reverend Jimmy Ellis will officiate the service. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Joyce was born on May 9, 1937, in Lumpkin County to the late James Luther and Mary Lou Parks Chester. She had lived most of her life in Hall County. She was a graduate of Riverbend High School and was a long time and faithful member of Christian Hill Baptist Church. She was married to the late Arnold Ravan for 43 years before he passed away in 1999. In their early marriage they lived in Cumming where Joyce worked at a local bank as a teller in Alpharetta. After a number of years, she and Arnold returned to Hall County and made their home in Clermont. Joyce worked at First Federal Bank, then worked at Harris Calorific for a number of years, then later she worked at Lanier National Bank before retiring. Joyce was a greeting card lady! She was faithful in sending cards for all occasions to her family and friends as long as she was able to do so. The highlight of her week was going to get her hair done, she would not go anywhere unless her hair was done first! She always wanted to look her best at all times. Thank you, Jean Farmer, for making that happened. In our family, she was the life of the party and always the family prankster! She was well known to dress up for the traditional Christmas tacky party and will be especially remembered as “Flo” the Longhorns Steakhouse Lady! She loved to plant a garden and worked tirelessly gathering and canning the harvest to share with family and others as well. She was great cook and often made Sunday dinners and baked cakes to take especially to her doctors. She was an avid NASCAR and Lanier Raceway fan. Bill Elliott was her man as well as Chase Elliott! You knew not to call her on Sundays for she was faithful to watch the races every weekend. Anyone who knew Joyce, loved her and remembers her big smile, her generous heart and her contagious laugh. She was kind to everyone and genuinely cared and loved her family and friends.
The family would like to especially thank the Family Hospice staff members, Heather Lawrence, Sarah Sullens for their care given to Joyce and to her special friend Tommy Glenn for his dedication to her as well.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, James Luther & Mary Lou Parks Chester; husband Arnold Ravan; and sister Frankie Odom.
She is survived by her 2 children: Daughter, Connie (Mike) DeShan and Son, Chris (Linda) Ravan; 4 grandchildren, James (Melissa)Ravan, Cody Ravan, Tony (Whitney) DeShan and Rachel (Chad) Faucett; and 11 great-grandchildren; brother James (Elaine) Chester and sister Joan Beasley, special friend Tommy Glenn, along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives. W. R. Strickland & Sons, Clermont, Ga.