Joy Effron Abelson

Joy Effron Abelson Adams passed away January 8, 2021. She was born July 31, 1923 in Chattanooga and remained here her entire life. What a wonderful, amazing, and rich life she had. Joy was a ground-breaker, a teacher, an administrator, an author of books and articles, an archivist, a genealogist, and a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

In 1961, well before it was the norm, Joy went to work outside the home and became a successful real estate agent. In the late 1960’s, she returned to college to earn her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. Joy taught for over 20 years, most of which was at Chattanooga High School- her alma mater. While there, she was the Sponsor of the Class of 1969 and Faculty Representative of the Maroon and White, the school newspaper. At the same time, she taught at and became administrator of the religious school at Mizpah Congregation where she was a lifetime and second-generation member. She gave over 50 years of service to Mizpah Congregation assisting in many positions. One of her proudest accomplishment was the founding and assuming the position of Chief Archivist of the Jewish Archives of Chattanooga located at Mizpah Congregation.

After her successful teaching career, she became the director of the Boynton Senior Neighbors Center. As an author, she published 3 books and many magazine articles. Her interest in the past continued in her pursuit of the history of her family. She was relentless in finding connections to her ancestors. To that end, she has left extensive genealogical records for her heirs that date back over five generations.

Her incredible energy did not stop at education. She was deeply involved in many civic organizations. In the early 1960’s, she was a member of the League of Women Voters and the AAUW (American Association of University Women). She founded “The Chai Steppers” at the Jewish Federation and she was elected the president of the Elder Scholars at UTC. She held the vice-president position at the Chickamauga Chapter of the DAR (she traced her ancestors back to the Revolutionary War). She became the Co-Commander of the Ex-POW Chapter of Chattanooga. She was the Curator of an exhibit at the Chattanooga Regional History Museum called: “Jewish Reflections.” And she always had time to help organize reunions for her Chattanooga High School Class of 1941.

These are only the highlights of a life well lived.

She is preceded in death by the love of her life: Walter Adams; her sisters Elizabeth Raisin, JoAnn Richelson, and her youngest son Richard Abelson.

She is survived by her sister Louise Spector; and by her children: Patricia Maner (Patty Mitchell) and Lee (Iris) Abelson. Four Grandchildren: Alan (Deidra) Maner, Scott (Vicki) Abelson, Robert Maner, and Blair (David) Reece. Nine Great-Grandchildren: Aubri, Paxton, Blakely, Easton, and Colson Maner; Zoey and Samuel Abelson; Ryan and Violet Reece. She once said that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are her greatest achievement in her life.

There are not enough “thank you’s” in the world to honor her caregivers. They are truly angels on earth for the love and devotion they showed to Joy for many years: Lachel Britt, Trina Brown, Darla Watkins, Tawanda McAfee, and Zophia Phillips.

The family also thanks the wonderful staff at Manor House Assisted Living for the long-term care they provided Joy and to Hearth Hospice.

A celebration of Joy’s life will be held at a future time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mizpah Congregation, 923 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403 or to Hearth Hospice, 513 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com