Obituary from Holman Funeral Home of Ozark – Ozark, Alabama
Mrs. Wanda “Joyce” Spence Farley peacefully met her Lord and Savior on August 21, 2026. She was 86 years old.
Funeral services for Mrs. Farley will be 11:00 A. M. Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Gene Nelson officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends Tuesday at the funeral home in Ozark from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Joyce was born January 5, 1940 to the late John Douglas Spence and Nora Irene Mills Spence in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In 1958, she graduated from Tuscaloosa County High and shortly after married the love of her life, George W. Farley. Apparently excited to be wed, they married at the rehearsal and didn’t have the wedding ceremony the following day as planned. G.W. served in the United States Army and Joyce proudly served beside him and supported our country and military vigilantly. They loved traveling the world together. Joyce loved her family with an unmatched dedication. Her two daughters were her pride and joy. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her heart beat. She never missed a ballgame or an event that they were in unless it was absolutely unavoidable. Her grandchildren grew up hearing her threats to “Blip Blap” them or “wash their mouths out with soap” for any disrespect but always knew there was a pantry full of snacks and arms to give them the biggest hugs that always smelled of Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamond perfume. She loved country music and hearing Alan Jackson sing about “being down yonder on the Chattahoochee” always brought a smile to her face. She was an avid Alabama football fan and thoroughly enjoyed watching college football with her family.
After the passing of her beloved husband in 2013, Joyce lived with her youngest daughter. She spent many days helping with her great grandchildren and made lots of cherished memories with them. She lived a very fulfilled life and brought joy and laughter to all those around her. Her life was built on her faith in God, love for her family, and pride for her country. If there is one thing that she enjoyed most in life it was a simple bowl of ice cream. There weren’t many days that she didn’t finish with a few scoops of her favorite flavors. She always encouraged others to enjoy the sweet things in life and if you’re having a tough day, there were few things a bowl of ice cream couldn’t make better. Joyce’s love and dedication will be missed but will live on through all she built with her family. The world is a remarkably better place because of the light she was and the legacy she leaves with her family.
Joyce is survived by her two daughters Wanda Eby Johnson (Mark) and Pamela Messick (Roy) both of Ozark, AL; her grandchildren Chris Taylor (Dallas) of Prattville, AL; Brett Taylor (Mirhanda) of Tampa, FL; Shawn Taylor (Vanessa) of Ozark, AL; Jennifer Quattlebaum (Mark) of Slocomb, AL; and Tiffany Munn (Ashley) of Ozark, AL; her great grandchildren include Mackenzie Taylor, Caleb Taylor, Addison Taylor, Scarlett Taylor, Aria Taylor, Isaiah Taylor, Jacob Taylor, Leeandra Taylor, Micah Taylor, Tanner Quattlebaum, Asher Quattlebaum, Colton Munn, and Riley-Kate Munn; two brothers Cecil (Marie) Spence, Wayne (Ruby) Spence; a sister Elaine (Charles) McGairity; and a sister-in-law Jo Ann Spence. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents John Douglas and Nora Irene Spence, her husband Retired SGM George W. Farley, and two brothers Carl Spence, Manley Spence, two sisters-in-law Katharine Brown and Betty Spence.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Gentiva hospice nurse Angie Jones, sitter Cathy McGowan, and Henry County Health and Rehab staff. Your care and compassion was unwavering and will never be forgotten.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in her memory to the Ozark-Dale County Humane Society, P. O. Box 2502, Ozark, Alabama 36361.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HolmanFuneralHome.com
