Beverly Joyce Hooks Ashton, 83, of Chattanooga, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on August 29, 2020. Her beloved cat Mya unexpectedly jumped back into her arms one week later. It wasn’t much of a transition, as they were both already known to be angels.
Joyce was born in Chicago to Rufus and Rubye Lee Smith Hooks. She attended Azusa Pacific University during which time she married Rev. Everett Lee Ashton. After many years of loving service as a pastor’s wife, Joyce earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at UTC and became a licensed Marital and Family Therapist. During her 20 years with Family and Children’s Services (now known as “The Partnership”), she implemented the following: Support Group for Abused Women; pilot program for the Family Violence Shelter; Harriet Tubman Program for Prevention of Teen Pregnancy; Men’s Anger Group; and a Support Group for non-Custodial Fathers. She also assisted Dr. Charles Lippy with a CARES (HIV/AIDS) Support Group; and Dr. James Meginley with the area’s first Gamblers Anonymous group. Joyce was a popular speaker at local schools and churches, the subject of numerous newspaper articles, and a welcome guest on local TV talk shows. She was also a certified schoolteacher.
Joyce retired in 1997 to travel and enjoy time with her family, pets, friends, and anyone who needed a nonjudgmental encouraging word. She had a boundless capacity for love and acceptance, a delightful sense of humor, and a fun-loving spirit. She only wanted said of her “She made a difference.”
Joyce waits in Heaven for daughter Lori (Stephen, deceased) Ashton; son Lee (Tammie) Ashton; former daughter-in-law and mother of her grandchildren Paula (Danny) Forgey; grandchildren/light of her life Tiffany and Jordan Ashton; brother Lewis Milton Hooks; beloved relatives and friends.
The family would like to sincerely thank Joyce’s many health care providers and caregivers over the years—you each also “made a difference.” A memorial service will occur at a later date, which will be printed here. Any memorial donations should kindly be sent to the Activities Department at Assisted Living at Standifer Place.