Joy Petty Rasbury

Joy Patricia Petty Rasbury, farmer, artist, environmental and animal activist and resident of Pulaski Highway, died Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Chaplain Eddie Rogers officiating. A private family graveside service will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Friday from 1:00 p.m. to service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Hospice Compassus, 1412 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia; The Humane Society of the U. S. at humanesociety.org; or The American Humane Association at americanhumane.org. Notes of sympathy may be sent to oakesandnichols.com. The life-long Columbia resident was the daughter of the late Hubert Odie Petty and Erma Morgan Petty. "Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his spendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness." Moved by the admonition of St. Francis of Assisi, throughout her life, Joy was passionate about animal welfare causes. She spent much of her time and energy, not only as a caregiver to her family, but to many animal rescue activites. She was devoted to childhood education and development, as well as environmental causes. She life-long learner, supporter of arts and education. She was dedicated to the family's agricultural business and was ever-seeking new horizons of local and organic farming. "Be praised, My Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, powerful, and strong." Mrs. Rasbury was an avid reader, and loved gardening and music. She was an accomplished businesswoman and patron of the arts. She was both a talented artist and Latin scholar who never lost her desire for learning and development of spirit and soul. Survivors include her husband, Victor S. Rasbury, whom she married December 19, 1953; daughters, Patricia Rasbury of Nashville and Susan Rasbury-D'Apolito and her husband, Craig, of Columbia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Hesta Petty Munns and brothers, James Petty and Peter Petty. Hal Morgan and Jerry Morgan will serve as honorary pallbearers.