Joyce Millsaps Bryson, age 83, of Epworth, passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Tranquility Hospice in Austell. She was born June 8, 1933, in the Devils Den Community of Fannin County to the late Rev. Wallace J. Millsaps and the late Irene Harkins Millsaps. She was a very active member of Harbor Ministries in McCaysville. Joyce was a pioneer businesswoman as the former owner and broker at Bryson Realty in Blue Ridge. She was one of the first women real estate brokers in the area. Joyce had been an active member of the community volunteering with numerous civic organizations including a founding member of Blue Ridge Arts Association and former president of Fannin County Chamber of Commerce. Joyce enjoyed researching her family heritage. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in death by a sister, Dr. Jewell Wade, and grandson, William Alexander Bryson. Survivors include: husband of sixty-six years, Grady "Jack" Bryson, sons, David (Marti) Bryson and Wally (Kelly) Bryson, daughter, Denise (Danny) Caldwell, sisters, Clara Stafford, Wylene Pearson, brother, Ellis Millsaps, grandchildren, Amber (Chan) Mitchell, Ashlee (Alan) Pickelsimer, Josh (Ann) Caldwell, Jack (Teresa) Caldwell, Will (Ashley) Bryson and Tucker Bryson, great-grandchildren, Emma Mitchell, Bryson Mitchell, Cayson Mitchell, Hunter Bryson, Kirsten Pickelsimer, Cade Bigham, Maleia Bigham, Ezekiel Daniel Caldwell, Simon Wallace Caldwell, Isabella Marie Caldwell and Grady Bryson Caldwell. Funeral services: Saturday, June 10, 2017, at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church McCaysville/Copperhill with Josh Caldwell, Dr. Chan Mitchell and Rev. Delmar Davenport officiating. Music provided by Clarence Burlingame and Denise Tallent. Interment will follow in Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers: David Bryson, Danny Caldwell, Josh Caldwell, Jack Caldwell, Will Bryson, Tucker Bryson, Alan Pickelsimer and Chan Mitchell. Honorary escort: members of the Senior Adult Sunday School Class at Harbor Ministries and the Jessie Ward WMU group from the First Baptist Church McCaysville Copperhill. The family request in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Harbor Ministries P.O. Box 388 McCaysville, Ga. 30555. The family will receive friends at the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home Friday, June 9, 2017, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Arrangements entrusted to the Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.
