Mrs. Joyce Lee Turner Hunter, 82, of Freeman Road, Holly Springs Community, Royston, passed away Sunday, September 30, 2018 at her home following a short illness.

Born on December 5, 1935 in Athens GA, she was the daughter of the late Robert LeeRoy Turner and Mattie Elizabeth Farmer Turner. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Raymond E. Hunter native of Moultrie, Georgia, son Allan, daughter Janis Lynn Palmer (Gary Brinson), granddaughter Keela Ainsworth (Nathan) and two great-grandchildren (Peter and Joy Ainsworth). She was preceded in death by her granddaughter Karissa Palmer. She also leaves behind her beloved sister-in-law Faye Brock (Brady) and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mrs. Hunter graduated Athens High School in 1953, received her B.S.H.A. degree from University of Georgia in August 1956 and was Class Valedictorian, and received her M.S.H.E. in Early Childhood Development in June 1957.She was an elementary school teacher for several years, then completed post graduate work in math and physics and served in the material sciences division of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she received the Distinguished Performance Award in 1987.Mrs. Hunter served as a consultant to the Savanah River Laboratory, Department of Energy, near Aiken SC from 1988 to 1990.She retired in September of 1992 and moved to the Holly Springs Community where she and her husband built their retirement home.In the past, Joyce had been very active in swimming, scuba diving, mountain climbing, wilderness backpacking, and cross country and downhill skiing.She had a lifelong enjoyment of square dancing, and after retirement she enjoyed quilting and teaching swimming to young people in the community.

The family will have a short semi-private interment service at the cemetery at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, October 3rd. A memorial service celebrating Joyce's life will be held on Saturday, November 10th 11:00 am at the Holly Springs Baptist Church with Pastor Zack Hawks officiating.

The family will receive friends for a luncheon after the memorial service in the church fellowship hall.Flowers will be received for the memorial service, or in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Holly Springs Baptist Church, 3308 Pulliam Mill Road, Bowman GA 30624, or Return Baptist Church, 733 Return Church Road, Seneca, SC 29678.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.