Joy T. Belcher

Joy T. Belcher of Sebring, Florida passed away July 7, 2025, at the age of eighty-six. She was born February 2, 1939, in Orlando, Florida, daughter of Fielding Hunter Thurmond Jr. & Virginia Belle (Peppercorn) Thurmond.

Joy graduated from William R. Boone High School in 1957 and Stetson University in 1961 where she was president of Phi Mu sorority. She was married to Bryan S. Belcher for 53 years (adopting all four of his children upon their marriage).

Joy taught Kindergarten and 1st Grade for over 35 years. She was Teacher of the Year, and her passion was teaching students to read. Through retirement, her love for books and reading was evident as she prioritized taking her grandchildren to “Story Time” and volunteering, for more than 20 years, at Friends of the Library. Joy also enjoyed cooking, sewing, crafting, shopping, and coloring, and she loved entertaining. She was an avid fan of the arts and a member of the Lakeside Theater.

Joy is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and daughter, Vicki Layton. Joy is survived by her two brothers, Fred Thurmond and his wife Susan, of Tallahassee and Lou Thurmond, of Gainesville, her daughter, Coni Cook and her husband Jay, of Eustis, her son, Bryan H. Belcher and his wife Diane, of Sebring and Shirley Willsey and her husband Alan, of Winter Springs; 9 grandchildren, Matthew Cook, Casey Cook, Phillip Layton Jr., Robert Layton, Mason Belcher, Amy Willsey, Hannah Cymny (her husband Patrick), Benjamin Willsey (his wife Mackenzie), Jackson Belcher, and 9 great grandchildren.

Joy was loving, quick-witted, exceedingly talented, and incredibly involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. She will be deeply missed!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Good Shepherd Hospice House; https://www.chaptershealth.org/locations/the-bud-and-donna-somers-hospice-house/