Obituaries

Joyce Wendolkowski

Joyce O. Wendolkowski, 88, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many passed gently from her earthly life to enter eternal life with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 31, 2014. Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Lynn C. Owens; and her parents, Helen and Roy Owens. She is survived by her daughters, Debra Godbold (Bill) and Susan Bryant (Chris); grandchildren, Chris Godbold (Jessica), Andrew Godbold (Lauren), Jamie Brennan and Kate Brennan; and a group of friends who loved "sweet Joyce." Joyce was born and raised in Benham, Ky., and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the tender age of 10 after attending a revival with her cousin and best friend, Marge Cooper. Joyce was an excellent student, graduating as the Salutatorian of her high school graduating class. She also won several statewide debate contests during her high school years and played the bass drum in the band. After graduation Joyce moved to Oak Ridge, TN where she worked at Y-12 during WWll. It was in Oak Ridge that she met and married the love of her life, Walter Wendolkowski, who was a research scientist and physicist. Joyce was a devoted wife and mother, and felt it was a privilege to raise her girls and be actively involved in their lives. When the girls got older, Joyce helped start Smart Partners Investment Club to learn about the stock market, an interest she shared with Walter who was passionate about the stock market. She became the Publications Officer for the East Tennessee Council of Investment Clubs where she submitted monthly articles for their magazine. She was also the Secretary of the Women's Society at Kern Memorial Methodist Church and President of Arissa Garden Club. She was a member of several bridge clubs and bridge was a mutual hobby that she and Walter shared throughout their 56 year marriage. Joyce was delighted to discover that a group of ladies were eager for her to play bridge weekly at her retirement home in Chattanooga, The Terrace, where she lived happily for two and half years. Joyce will be remembered for her sweet disposition, her love for God, her kindness to everyone she met, her devotion to her family, her desire to keep on learning, and her spiritual gifts of wisdom and faith which she shared with both family and friends. The verse from Philippians 4:8 sums up the life well-lived of Joyce: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." The family acknowledges with grateful appreciation Laura Baker and Missy Day of Hearth Hospice for their tender, loving care for Joyce. Appreciation also for gracious sitters, Kim Walker and Tiffany Lockhart. The family was also blessed by visits with Dr. William Dudley and Rev. Margaret Ferguson who prayed for and encouraged Joyce during her brief illness. A graveside service was held at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens, Monday, June 2, 2014. A service celebrating Joyce's life was held at Marr Chapel of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The family received friends at the church following the service. Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, North Chapel, Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hearth Hospice, 1800 Rossville Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37408, the Womens' Guild of Kern Memorial Methodist Church, 451 E. Tennessee Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37830, or the Music Ministry of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Blvd., Signal Mountain, TN 37377.

Published June 4, 2014

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