Teresa Joy Straner, age 67, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 at Piedmont Fayette Hospital in Fayetteville, Georgia. Joy was born on July 13th, 1953 in Toccoa, Georgia, residing in north Georgia for most of her life. She was a 1971 graduate of Woody Gap High School, then later graduated with her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Tift College and Clemson University respectively.

Joy worked as an elementary teacher for Gwinnett and Stephens county school districts for 30 years, retiring in 2007. Following her retirement, she taught education courses at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia for an additional 6 years. Joy treasured the students she taught and the many years she spent as an educator.

She was an accomplished pianist and played at many churches, including Lawrenceville First Baptist and Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Toccoa, Georgia.

Joy truly loved those around her and was notorious for her playful sense of humor. She cherished the time spent with her family and friends and had an extraordinary ability to find laughter in everything – bringing "joy" to those around her.

She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Rebecca Straner, survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Hope and Mike Callahan, three nephews, Hunter, Trey, and Chase Callahan and many other family members and friends.

Announcement courtesy of Whitlock Mortuary.