Mrs. Joyce Peyton Gresham, née Hobbs, age 82, of Canton, Georgia, passed away following a valiant battle against Alzheimer's disease on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Grace Senior Living in Woodstock, Georgia.

Born on September 4, 1943, in Roanoke, Virginia, Joyce was the daughter of the late F. Eugene “Gene” Hobbs and Elizabeth Massey Hobbs. Joyce was raised in Orlando, Florida, having moved there with her family on her fourth birthday. She grew up in the West Lakes, just two blocks away from Tinker Field, the spring training home for Major League Baseball. She had many opportunities to sneak a peak at some of the greatest baseball legends perfecting their swings.

Joyce attended Edgewater High School, and enjoyed being a part of the color guard squad. During her early high school years, Joyce worked at Hogues five and dime in College Park, known for its wooden floors, penny candy, and an array of toys. Joyce graduated high school at the tender age of sixteen, having skipped a grade, and shortly thereafter began working as a Proof Operator at Citizens Bank. It was there that she began to develop a disciplined and strong worth ethic.

Joyce also had a fulfilling career in banking, working at Cocoa Beach State Bank as a Proof Operator and Teller, then later had advanced banking positions for Sun Bank, Southeast Bank, and First American Bank of Orange County in the greater Orlando area. Her last position at Sun Bank was serving and managing equestrian accounts. She served her banking customers well and was known for her warm smile, sharp mind, and willingness to help others.

She lived a life centered on faith, family, and patriotism. Having had a husband, son, and brother who all served and retired from the United States Air Force, Joyce held a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by our nation's military members and was proud to support and honor their service throughout her life. It bears mentioning that as a military wife for nineteen years, she was flexible and resilient, embodying the grace required to be a dedicated military wife. Her quiet sacrifice and steadfast support was vital through the years of service and military moves.

Joyce loved music and sang in the church choir in multiple communities throughout her life. Music brought her great joy. She volunteered her time and gifts in many ways, but in particular, she served on the board for her home church in Orlando, Lockhart First United Methodist Church. She held a deep and unwavering faith, and was a zealous servant to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joyce treasured her family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her kindness, patience, and unwavering support touched the lives of all who knew her. She found great joy in gathering with family, celebrating milestones, and creating lasting memories with those she loved most. She was an adventurer at heart and loved tagging along on whatever spontaneous excursion her kids dreamed up, whether it be horseback riding, white-water rafting, parasailing, jet skiing, riding the fastest roller coasters, camping in the pop-up camper with grandkids, or going to whatever next wholesome family movie that came to the big screen.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her father and mother, F. Eugene Hobbs and Elizabeth Massey Hobbs; brother, Norman Hobbs; and her father in-law and mother-in-law, Julian “Cleo” Gresham and Bessie “Betty” Gresham.

She is survived by her loving husband of sixty-five years, Donald “Jerry” Gresham of Canton, Georgia; her children and their spouses, Paige (Steve) Sessions of Cape Canaveral, Florida, D. Brian (Dawn) Gresham of Niceville, Florida, and Laura (Robert) McMillan of Woodstock, Georgia; grandchildren, Melissa (Austin) Starken, James (Heather) Sessions, Jennifer (Keith) Taylor, Laurie Sessions, Brandon (Demi) Gresham, Sean (Patricia) Gresham, Janie Gresham, Neale (Olivia) McMillan, and Brice McMillan; sixteen great-grandchildren; and her sister, Jane Johns of Apopka, Florida.

She will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral Services in honor and celebration of Joyce's life will be held in the Chapel of Darby Funeral Home on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with William “Bill” Wuth officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. until the funeral hour. Joyce will be laid to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made in Joyce's memory to The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation (www.alzinfo.org), the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) in support of Proteus Syndrome research (www.rarediseases.org), or Apraxia Kids (www.apraxia-kids.org).

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Joyce Peyton Gresham.