Joyce Patricia Vaughan Hays, age 82, of Canton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Chapters Living following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Joyce was born on October 24, 1943, in Cartersville, Georgia, to the late Arthur Lee Vaughan and Essie Selma Vaughan.

In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her loving husband of 33 years, Jim Hays; and her beloved daughter, Jennifer “Jenny” Angeline Tumlin, whom she lost at the young age of eight. Though many years passed following Jenny’s death, Joyce carried her memory close to her heart throughout her life and loved sharing stories about her with family and friends.

Joyce is survived by her daughters, Dana Matiak and her husband, Robbie, and Denene Tumlin; grandchildren, Ashleigh Matiak Rich and her husband, Colin, Heath Matiak, Shawn Galens, and JJ Wilson; sister, BJ Vaughan Kidd, as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Above all, Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Family meant everything to her, and she treasured every opportunity she had to spend time with those she loved. She enjoyed reading and cooking and had a heart for helping others. Her kindness and willingness to lend a hand were reflections of the way she lived her life—with compassion, generosity, and love for those around her.

Joyce’s faith in God remained a constant throughout her life. Through times of great joy and times of tremendous loss, she continued to place her trust in Him. No matter the trial she faced, her faith remained steadfast. One of the verses Joyce had highlighted in her Bible beautifully reflects the faith with which she lived:

“But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” — Psalm 13:5

After a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, Joyce passed from this life peacefully, leaving behind a family who will cherish her memory, the stories she shared, the love she gave so freely, and the example of faith she carried throughout her 82 years.

Joyce will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but her family takes comfort in the faith she held so dearly and in the promise expressed in the words she herself had marked in Scripture: “My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Darby Funeral Home, with visitation to be held from 1:00pm until the funeral hour.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Matiak Foundation, founded by Joyce’s daughter and son-in-law, to further the work they are doing to serve others in Honduras. Donations may be made at matiakfoundation.com/donate.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ms. Joyce Patricia Vaughan Hays.