Joy Gay (Mathis) Woods

Joy Mathis Woods, 67, of Marion, Illinois, left this world to be with Jesus on September 22, 2022, at home surrounded by her family.

Joy was born November 13, 1954, in Carbondale, Illinois to Daniel Dennison and Christine (McKenzie) Mathis.  She moved with her mom and sister to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where she graduated from Mt. Vernon Twp. High School.  She moved back to Marion, Illinois, where she worked 16 years at Power Gas Station and 19 years at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital as sterile processing coordinator.  She cherished her coworkers and was so thankful for all the kindness they showed to her and her family.  Her memory will live forever in those she held dearest to her heart.  To know her was to love her.

Left to mourn her passing are her daughter and son-in-law, Khrystina (Jacob) Choate of Marion, Illinois; her son, Travis Woods of Ina, Illinois; her seven grandchildren, Roddy (Felicia) Choate of Orient, Illinois, Tabitha (Eli) Moore of West Frankfort, Illinois, Baylee (Tristin) Shell of Marion, Illinois, Blake Choate and girlfriend, Megan Hanks of Marion, Illinois, Tysyn Woods and Annie Wilkerson of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and Madeline Sexton of Sesser, Illinois.  She was a very proud great-grandmother to 8 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by two sisters, Katie Mathis Almaroad of Austin, Texas, Hope (Loy) Mathis Owen of Eldorado, Illinois, and several nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, as well as many close friends that she chose to be family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Fran Stewart of Marion, Illinois, and one nephew, Josh Richardson of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

A visitation for friends and family will be held at Binkley-Ross Funeral Home located at 1702 West Boulevard Street, Marion, Illinois on Monday, September 26, 2022, from 4-6 PM. A memorial service will begin at 6 pm at the funeral home with her sister, Hope Owen officiating.

Joy and her family request, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, in her honor and will be accepted at the funeral home.

A Tribute from Khrystina:

Let me tell you about my sweet mom.  She was my saving grace.  She was and always will be my best friend.  She was the hardest working and strongest woman I know.  She always made sure she spoke to people and gave them her beautiful smile to show her kindness and God’s love.  She loved her coworkers at the VA and her customers at Power Gas and was so happy to see them in the community.  She fought her battle with pancreatic cancer with strength and dignity from the beginning to end.

I can’t say enough good things about my mom.  She always made sure we had what we needed. She provided for us as a single mom working 2 and sometimes 3 jobs.  She worked tirelessly over 45 years of her life and never complained or called in sick to work before her illness became so bad, she couldn’t go.

Until we meet again, Mom, I will try my best to live by your great example and fill your shoes; though, I know I have some big footsteps to follow.  I love you, Mom.