Joyce Saulsbery-Patterson

Joyce “Joy” Deborah Lynn Saulsbery was born to parents Anne Marie Saulsbery and George “Teddy” Theodore Dublin Jr on November 18, 1972 in Columbus, OH. She graduated from West High School in 1994. Then worked hard as an entrepreneur and loving mother for her two children, Wesley and Lei’Anna.

Joy, regardless of who you were, was first your best friend with the sharpest tongue and most stubborn nature. Anyone who knew her knew that it was her way or no way. Second, she was your guidance counselor with advice to get you through any situation you may face. Joy held love and loyalty to a high esteem and was a giver who would give her last dollar to a friend in need. She loved children and probably loved your children more than she loved you. She was extremely funny and loved to laugh, it was a guarantee that you’d leave her presence in tears-- either from her humorous nature or her tough love.

Joy loved track in her younger years and was an avid sports fan, ranging from football to tennis. She was very competitive and loved playing games--pool, dice, candy crush, you name it. She loved testing her own luck, if you ever needed to find Joy, she could be found at the nearest carryout playing the lotto.

In 2010, Joy was in a terrible car accident. She broke her neck and was paralyzed in large parts of her body, then was told by the doctors that she may never walk again. In Joy fashion though, she defied the odds by walking out of the hospital in spite of what they said. She was a true inspiration. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with colon cancer in May of 2021. After receiving strenuous treatment, she had the cancer removed and was able to live comfortably for some time. The issue reared its head again mid to late 2022, this time being too large of a problem for the doctors to cure.

Sadly, in the very early hours of February 15, 2023, Joy went home to be with her family that preceded her in death. This includes her maternal grandparents: Varrana and Anna Belle Saulsbery, paternal grandparents: George Theodore Sr. and Margaret Elenora Dublin, father George “Teddy” Theodore Dublin Jr, and her namesake and aunt Joyce Saulsbery.

Left to mourn her absence are her two children: Wesley Green and Lei’Anna Saulsbery; her mother Anne Saulsbery; five siblings: John (Lisa) and Jason Saulsbery, Kyle Dublin, and Elenor Jordan; her nieces and nephews: Joi Saulsbery, Mary Saulsbery, John Saulsbery Jr., Jason Saulsbery Jr., Justin Saulsbery, Joshua Saulsbery, Savanna Saulsbery, Brittany Jordan, Whitney Jordan, Tiffany Jordan, Kyli Dublin, Shakyra Dublin, Zyon Dublin; three aunts: Kayla Dublin, Deborah Dublin, and Lisa Doughty; and host cousins and other relatives.