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Joy Marie (May) Bernshausen, 91, of Elizabethton, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. She was born to the late Roby Dewitt May and Leila Laurel (Bowers) May and was preceded in death by Fritz Bernshausen, her husband, and her seven siblings, Roby May, Violet Dewitt, Rosalie Merritt, Bertha Lou Boone, Riley (Bill) May, Dr. Floyd (Earl) May and Dr. Joseph (Joe) C. May.
Joy enjoyed creativity. She designed and sewed ballet costumes, made Christmas ornaments, and all manner of adornments for special events. Her artistic eyes and ears and her delight in beauty and those she loved will be missed. Joy was a registered nurse, accomplished in several specialty areas.
Those left to cherish her memory include five children, Kerry Fawn Johnston of Elizabethton, Tamlyn Joy Bernshausen of Elizabethton, Cynthia Lynn Bernshausen of Elizabethton, Todd Fritz Bernshausen of Aurora, Colo., and Bonny Beth Bernshausen Breeding and husband Pat of Kingsport; one sister, Hilda Collins and husband Dr. Herbert Collins of Elizabethton; 10 grandchildren, Christopher Miller and wife Sarah, Eric Miller, Andrew Johnston and wife Megan, Heath Johnston, Spencer Breeding and wife Brittany, Austin Breeding, Alexis Joy Breeding, Luke Bernshausen, Teagan Bernshausen and McClane Bernshausen; and eight great-grandchildren, Caleb, Sophia, Logan, Nash, Zoe, Ava, Jack and Emmett.
A service to celebrate the life of Joy Marie (May) Bernshausen will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 10, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. The family will receive friends in the funeral chapel from 1 until 2 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 in memory of Joy. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is honored to serve the Bernshausen family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.