On January 21, 2021 Joye Mae Loden, age 92, and 74 year resident of Memphis/Shelby County, TN, passed peacefully from this life after contracting Covid, which resulted in several other health issues to follow. She was born June 2, 1928 at home in Marion County, Alabama, near Haleyville, to Lang C. Howell and Sarah F. Kennedy Howell.

November 16, 1946 she married Nathan Loden when he returned home to her from his service in the Navy during WW2.  He had proposed to her in a letter while away at the war and she had happily accepted.  Shortly after they wed they moved to Memphis, TN, where they both lived the rest of their lives.  They enjoyed almost 60 years of a blessed and happy marriage.

Joye was an excellent wife, homemaker, mother of 3 children, member of East Shelby Church of Christ and employee of Kellogg's from 1963 to 1992, when she retired after nearly 30 years.  She was a faithful Christian all her adult life and served countless others with her various acts of thoughtfulness, friendliness, kindness, meals, visits and encouragement.  She was an example to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 5 siblings and her loving husband.

She is survived by her 3 children, Ronald Dale (and Regina) Loden of Collierville, TN, Randall Alan (and Joanna) Loden of Knoxville, TN and Judy Renita (and Steve) Cox of Franklin, TN, 5 granddaughters (Stefanie, Melissa, Sarah, Monique and Laura) and 6 great-grandchildren (Lexie, Nathan, Samuel, Maggie, Jude and Simon), all of which "arise up and call her blessed".

She will be greatly missed by all of her family and dear friends, though they rejoice that she has finished the race and has won the victory to be with the Lord and be reunited with her loved ones who've gone on before her.  Her family consider themselves truly blessed to have her!

Memorials may be sent to St. Jude or Sacred Selections at 4144 Shores Road, Murfreesboro, TN 37128.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Forest Hill East Funeral Home at 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN.