Mrs. Helen Joyce "Mamaw Joyce" Ragan, age 84 of Oneonta, AL., passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at her residence.

Mamaw Joyce was born during the depression and was the oldest of 5 girls and 2 boys.  While she was in the 6 ^th grade her mother became ill and she was forced to quit school to care for her siblings.  She married in 1958 and focused her energy on building her own family.  Years later her husband became a paraplegic for 7 years.  After his death, with very little education and job skills she became part of the work force and did her best to raise her 3 teens alone.  She was up for the challenge due to the fact that the world she lived in made her tough and able to handle anything.

In Mamaw Joyce's lifetime, she witnessed 14 Presidents, WWII, The Bombing of Pearl Harbor, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, Desert Storm, the fall of The Twin Towers, and The War on Terrorism.  Even though her life was hard she was the most loving, caring, and gentle soul.  Her love and legacy will live on through the hearts of many.

Mamaw Joyce is survived by her daughter – Wanda Wilson of Indiana, her son and daughter-in-law – Terry and Dedra Ragan of Indiana, her daughter and son-in-law – Vinnie and Jeff Harper of Altoona, AL., her daughter – Carolyn Morgan of Oneonta, AL., her grandchildren – Amanda Spires, Kim Kennedy, Joe Ragan, Jessica Ragan, Shane Harper, Rex Harper, Cheona Holland, and Michael Morgan, her great grandchildren – Emma, Robert, Nicholle, Aizak, Hayden, Thatcher, Oakley, Jackson, Chloe, Kayleigh, Guage, Elorah, Serenity, Garren, Donavan, and Carter; her great-great grandchildren – Hoyt and expecting baby Everly.

She is preceded in death by her husband – Buck Ragan, her grandson – Keith Harper, her parents – J.D. and Estelle (Elldge) Smith, her brothers – Billy Smith and James Smith, and her sister – Ellen Miller.

Brother Jerry Beasley will will conduct the Funeral Service on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 3:00 PM from the Graveside at Wynnville Cemetery, with Snead Funeral Home Directing.  There will be no visitation.

Pallbearers will be – John A. Bodine, John E. Bodine, Josh Bodine, Jerry Beasely, Charlie Lowe, and Harlen Wilemon.