It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Joy Theresa Tayloe Hancock February 22, 2023, at the age of 80.
Born to John Thomas and Luzane Wynns Tayloe, Joy grew up in Memphis and spent her summers on Kentucky Lake near Paris, Tennessee.
Joy was an independent woman ahead of her time. She raced cars, worked in the retail fashion industry, and sky dived at the age of 70.
After graduating from Webber College, she raised three children with her first husband, James “Johnny” Shelley of Lake Wales, Florida. Joy worked with her father at John Tayloe Glass and eventually made a name for herself in real estate. She earned the Multi Million Dollar Club Life Member designation as a Crye-Leike realtor and taught generations of new agents.
Later in life Joy reconnected with her high school sweetheart, William “Bill” Hancock, and relocated to Sherborn, MA and then Asheville, NC. She delighted in the community at Pilgrim Church, entertaining friends, and extensive travel, including many months in Shanghai, Dubai, and London. She became known for the world’s best chicken ‘n’ rice and the treasured gift of a Karo pecan pie.
Joy is survived by her sister Luzane Tayloe Draughon, son J. Andrew Shelley (Dr. Kimberly Stegmaier) of Boston, MA, daughter Alexa Shelley of Seattle, WA, many beloved cousins, and grandchildren Madden, Palmer, Emme, and Alessia. Emme and Palmer are the children of her youngest child, John Palmer “J.P.” Shelley, gone from this life far too soon.
A graveside service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Paris, Tennessee March 25th at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the name of Joy Tayloe Hancock to the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf at 7901 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, TN 38138, 901-758-2228, info@mosdkids.org.