Joyce Tennison

Joyce S. Tennison, 81, died peacefully at home near Chicago, IL on January 25, 2025. Although her life’s journey took her to the edge of one of the great cities of the world, its skyline and bustling streets would not have interested her as much as the sound of chirping crickets, the scent of the fresh cut grass, or the blooming crape myrtles outside her longtime home in her native Alabama. Born Joyce Ann Shireman, she lived all but three of her long years in North Alabama. A native of Athens, it was there she met and married her husband of 60 years, Joe Bob Tennison, also of Athens. Economic opportunities brought them to Huntsville in the mid-1960s; in The Rocket City, they would also start a family. Mrs Tennison would work at a number of the new technology companies ascendant in the Tennessee Valley, most notably Chrysler and General Electric. After General Electric shuttered its Huntsville location in 1991, Mrs Tennison embarked on a rewarding final chapter, pairing her love of literature into a part-time role at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library where she would remain until her retirement in the late 2000s. She spent her last few years in Lincolnwood, IL near her son and daughter-in-law. A devout Christian, Mrs Tennison was a member of the Mastin Lake Road Church of Christ for over 40 years, as well as a member of the West Huntsville Church of Christ later in life. Her faith was matched only by her devotion to family and the joy of time well-spent with those she loved. Mrs Tennison was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Mae (Brown) Shireman; her brother, Francis “Frankie” Cleveland Shireman; and a brother-in-law, Jack Fleming. She is survived by her husband, Joe Bob Tennison; a sister, Jerri Fleming, of Cullman, AL; a son, Joseph Cale Tennison; and a daughter-in-law, Dili Yang, of Chicago. She also leaves behind several in-laws, nieces, and nephews whom she loved dearly. Services will be at Spry Funeral Home (804 US Hwy 72 W, Athens, AL) with burial following at the Athens City Cemetery. Visitation will be at 11am on Friday, January 31, with a memorial service in the chapel at 1pm. Family and friends are welcome. Flowers may be ordered via Dugger’s Florist c/o Joyce Tennison to Spry Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mrs Tennison to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (alzfdn.org). Chicago arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care 773-370-2959 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Joyce Tennison

June 30, 1943 - January 25, 2025