Obituary of Joy Covington Grimsley

Joy Covington Grimsley passed away on September 1, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Hazel and John L. Covington. She graduated from Bartlesville High School, and then went to Secretarial College. She had a passion for cooking and sewing, but also a knack for office and business management. After she finished school, Joy worked as a secretary at NASA in Huntsville, AL. When she moved to SC, she was blessed to work as the office manager for an amazing man, Dr. Harold Morgan for over 24 years in Columbia, SC at Psychiatric Consultants. They stayed friends even after his practice moved out of the area.

She was an amazing mother of 3 children and a stepdaughter. She loved sharing God’s word to all of her children and grandchildren. Joy was loved by everyone she ever met. She taught everyone in her family her strength, her determination and her unconditional love and passion for life. We are all blessed to have had her in our lives. 

Joy is survived by her oldest daughter, Sheryl Lynn Baker (Charles) of Lexington; stepdaughter, Marta Amundson (Larry) of Riverton, WY; grandson, Jamie Justin Spencer of West Columbia; granddaughter, Melanie Joy Brown of Lexington; grandson, Christopher Andrew Baker of West Columbia; granddaughters, Meghan Kimberlee Stanley, Kari Baker-Long: sister, Juanita Johansen (Bob) of Edmond, OK; and great grandchildren, Dillon Oswald (Brandi), Taylor Brown (Mark), Gabriella Brown, Shelton Brown, Cayden Long, Julian Adkins, Graycee Mae Peek, Syllas Brown, Leevi Stanley and great-great granddaughters, Kineddi Pence and baby girl Oswald (due February). She was predeceased by her parents, her brother John and her children, Tami Juanita Stanley and Lonnie A. Griner IV (Kathy).

She brought so many people into the family and always taught everyone love, respect and Christian values. She was also the best cook in the world and always loved cooking for all the holidays at her house. She will be missed dearly.

A Celebration of Life service for "Mama Joy" Covington Grimsley will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the Mausoleum Chapel of Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072. Interment in Woodridge Memorial Park will follow the service.  The family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service (10:00 - 11:00 AM) at the Woodridge Mausoleum Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made to the “U-Turn for Christ” program at the Calvary Chapel of Lexington are encouraged.  The address is 1156 Barr Road, Lexington, SC  29072. This is a program that the church sponsors to overcome addiction, and Mama Joy was an ardent supporter.