Joy Perkins

Joy Lynne Perkins, 64, passed away on January 21, 2021 after a hard fought battle with cancer. She was born in Dayton, Ohio on October 17, 1956 to Agatha Harmon and Richard Wooster.

She was a woman that truly exemplified her name, spreading joy everywhere she went. She was known for her great sense of humor, which stayed with her until the end. Even on the hardest of days she could find a reason to laugh or make light of a tough situation.

While she had too many amazing qualities to name them all, most notably was her incredible strength. Her battle with pancreatic cancer was no match for her. No matter what surgery or treatment she faced, she stood strong and determined to live. This will to survive gave her three long years with her family, filled with so many memories and laughter.

She was a fearless leader and inspiration during her retail career, where she spent over 20 years managing Kittle’s Furniture store in Columbus. She led with integrity and passion, creating a family like environment where everyone felt valued. There, she met some of her lifelong friends that admire her dearly.

Her greatest joy in life was caring for others with her immense heart and spending quality time with her children and grandchildren. She always found pleasure in the little things in life. In the mornings you could find her on the front porch enjoying the brisk fall air or her favorite, drinking a nice cup of tea.

Most recently, she spent her days doting on her adorable puppy, Maui. They shared a deep bond that provided Joy with the comfort she needed on this journey. Wherever she went, Maui was right there beside her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Richard Wooster and Agatha (Harmon) Brannon, sister Theresa Wooster, as well as her in-laws Joseph W. and LaVerla R Perkins. She is survived by her husband Thomas Perkins, sister Robin (Wooster) Hickman, children Delaney Perkins, Warren (Holly) Perkins, Miranda (Paul) Lewis, Roth Reason, Nathan (Spencer) Perkins and her grandchildren, Logan, Phineas, MacGregor, Nadia, Stella and Sophia, as well as her nieces, Alisa Barr and Ashley Blackshare, whom she all loved so dearly.

She is welcomed into heaven by her loving daughter-in-law Gabriela Reason, whom she considered her own and her close friend, Barry Cohen, whom she closely bonded with during their cancer journeys.

Her family is eternally grateful to the staffs at Columbus Oncology, Riverside Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Hospital for their wonderful medical care for her, specifically her surgeon Dr. Christopher Wolfgang. A special thank you goes out to the entire staff at Kobacker House Hospice whom took exceptional care of her in her final months, many of which became friends with Joy during her time there.

Visitation for Joy will be held on Wednesday, January 27th from 5pm to 7pm at Shaw-Davis Funeral Home, Clintonville Chapel. A private service will be held for family on Thursday, January 28th.

Contributions can be made in her name to the following charities:

Kobacker House Hospice (www.ohiohealth.com/locations/hospice/kobacker-house/)

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org)