Joylene Toler Carter

Joylene “Joy” Toler Carter of Brandon, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at her home at Chateau Pines Assisted Living Tuesday, December 17, 2024. 

 Joy was born July 24, 1936 in Brookhaven to John and Lilie Mae (Flowers) Toler. Throughout her adolescence, Joy enjoyed creating lifelong memories with her grandparents. Joy was a self-described “bad child” who took delight in being mischievous and seeing just how far she could get with her quick wit. She loved her childhood with her friends and sister, Patsy, and often spoke fondly of her years as a basketball player and cheerleader at Carr Central High School in Vicksburg. After high school, Joy attended The University of Southern Mississippi and was a Dixie Darling. She left Southern Miss to start a family, but always promised her parents she’d finish her education. Which she did, at Mississippi College, earning her Bachelor’s in Business Administration in her 60s. 

 Joy was a fiercely loving mother to Jay Carter (Leanna) of Elk Grove California and John Carter of Brandon, Mississippi (deceased). 

 Joy and Jay enjoyed the same books and shows; Star Trek, especially— Joy took the fandom to the next level, amassing an impressive collection of Next Generation items and an autographed photo of her longtime celebrity crush, Sir Patrick Stewart. Joy and Jay would often work crossword puzzles together; though few could compete with her skills at word games, she’d occasionally get stuck and would humbly ask Jay for help. Joy helped Jay create a game to play on long car trips, “Up Up Down Down Level Level”… she endured the sound of Jay narrating the landscape for the sake of his entertainment. 

 Joy also delighted in and supported the hobbies of her younger son, John. As a child of the 70’s and 80’s, John was enthralled with Spiderman, KISS, comic books and Star Wars. Joy supported all of John’s interests, staying up late to catch his favorite shows with him, throwing him themed parties, and helping John and his friends get painted into KISS attire, while feeding them Tostinos’ pizzas with ketchup. Joy continued to have regular “show days” with John, watching MASH and Benny Hill on DVD until John’s death in 2017. 

 She was Nana to five grandchildren, Grant, Jordan, Courtney (Jeremy), Colby (Lacey), and Emily (Dalton), and seven great-grandchildren. She created a magical childhood for her children and grandchildren, who have numerous memories of kicking the ball over the roof and playing dodgeball at her longtime home in Pearl, Mississippi. As her family grew and changed, Joy was Nana to all, whether stepsibling, half sibling, cousin, or friend who just tagged along with one of the other kids. Nana’s house was always equipped with Hershey’s, M&M’s, Chips-AHoy cookies, and apple juice. She was always patient, always up for a good time, and was adamant about fostering a love of learning in the children—whether they wanted it or not. 

 There was not one single person who could escape the absolute kindness and gentleness of Joy Carter. She didn’t command a room, but she quietly drew people in with a dazzling smile. She lived up to her name– she was a Joy, pure and simple. 

 Joy spent the last few years of her life at Chateau Pines Assisted Living in Brandon, Mississippi. There, she found a renewed zest and purpose. Joy didn’t miss any events the home held. She attended bingo regularly, winning candy and other prizes often. She worked jigsaw puzzles throughout the day. She adored the staff that helped care for her and foster her independence. She even found love again— and built a beautiful relationship with her neighbor across the hall, Mr. Harvey Reed. They watched television, ate meals, did jigsaw puzzles, and challenged each other to care for themselves. Their short yet deep love was one for the storybooks. 

 Joy was a dedicated Christian woman. She was passionate about service and spent many years working with Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to the homebound and less fortunate. 

She regularly attended Park Place Baptist Church events at Chateau Pines, but her heart always remained with First Christian Church in Vicksburg, the church of her youth. Her pastor there, Reverend Jeffrey Murphy, visited her often so she could still participate in communion with the church. 

 Joy Carter is survived by her son Gerald Edwin “Jay” Carter, Jr., her sister Patsy (Will) Ashford of Largo, Florida, her five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving parents and her son, John Carter. 

 Visitation will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, Mississippi, on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 10 am to 11:30 am, with a graveside service to follow.