Joyce Anne DeHart Eastlack, 75, of Josephine, Alabama, was sadly taken from us due to COVID on Feb. 16, 2021 in Foley, Alabama with her beloved family by her side. She was a kind, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who also touched the lives of so many others in her lifetime.
Joyce was born in Woodbury, New Jersey on Oct. 5, 1945 to Harry and Elizabeth DeHart. She lived and attended school in Woodbury where she met the love of her life and husband of 57 years, Clayton (Cy) Eastlack. While Clayton ran the family-owned ACE Motor Sales Ford dealership, Joyce was a loving and devoted mother to her four children. In 1980 they moved their family to Maine to pursue their dream. They owned and operated Mountain View Cottages on Rangeley Lake while at the same time Joyce served as an EMT for the local ambulance service. Her love of helping others led her to go back to college and in two short years she graduated top of her class as a registered nurse. After her youngest graduated college, she and Clayton spent winters in Marathon, Florida, eventually moving there permanently and she worked full-time as a nurse at Fishermen’s Hospital. After 20 years Joyce retired and they moved in 2017 to Josephine, Alabama to be closer to their oldest daughter. They were quickly accepted into the small community and attended the Josephine Baptist Church, where Joyce enjoyed singing in the choir.
The most important thing to Joyce was family. Despite the distance of all her children she made every effort to see them every chance possible. She was one of the most generous and caring people to family and friends alike. She never forgot a birthday and Christmas was always a favorite time of year. “Nanny” was extremely close to all her 9 grandchildren and thrilled to add two great-grandchildren in 2020. She will never be forgotten and cannot be replaced.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Clayton of Josephine, Alabama; her 4 children, Tammy Mannett of Fairhope, Alabama, Allison Bouknight (Ray) of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Clayton Eastlack (Yvonne) of Russellville, Alabama, James Eastlack (Beth) of Rangeley, Maine; grandchildren Taylor, Carter, Allie Mannett, Bailey Mannett Amstutz (Jordan), Parker and Andrew Eastlack, Lauren and Emily Eastlack; two great-granddaughters, Teagan Amstutz and McKenna Eastlack; sister Susie Dare and brother Had DeHart.
A celebration of life will be held in Maine this summer.
