Mrs. Joyce Holt Logan Whitaker passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 27 ^th , 2022 at the age of 86 years old. Joyce and her twin brother, Jack, where born on June 23 ^rd , 1936 at Coker Hospital in Canton, Ga to Lola (Burnett) and Harold W. Holt. The twins were bundled up and placed in saltine cracker boxes to make the long journey home to the Cartecay section of Gilmer County.

Joyce was a 1954 Ellijay High School graduate and attended Young Harris College. She never missed her high school and YHC reunions, both being very important to her. Her church family and civic organizations, especially the Gilmer County Genealogical Society, were also of great value to her. She was very proud of her Holt ancestry and loved her family members dearly.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Ben Whitaker; brother, Jack A. Holt; daughter, Dana Logan Cochran, and grandson, Logan Brown.

Mrs. Whitaker is survived by her children, daughter and son-in-law, Debby Logan Brown (Steve); son and daughter-in-law, Mitchell Logan (Lisa); Tony Whitaker, Linda Wright, and Joyce Tishaw; grandchildren, Miles Logan (Stephanie), Rachel Logan, Caroline Brown White (JayJay), Jared Cochran; great-grandchildren, Grier and Holt White; nephew, Jack A. Holt, and great nephew, Leo Holt.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 30 ^th , 2022 at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with Rev. John Bramlett officiating. Interment will follow in the Flint Hill Church Cemetery. Pallbearers serving will be: Miles Logan, Jared Cochran, Richard Holt, Wayne Holt, Jack Holt, Leo Holt, and Don Roberts.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 30 ^th , 2022 from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour of 2:00 p.m. at the Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay.

The family would like to personally thank the caregivers at Sonshine Manor and the Appalachian Hospice nurses and staff for their care and friendship.

Joyce was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers and food, the family welcomes donations to the Gilmer County Animal Shelter at https://gilmercounty-ga.gov/animal-shelter/ or to the Flint Hill Cemetery Fund in care of Glenda Sue Johnson at 90 Valley View Lane Ellijay, GA, 30540.

The family has respectfully requested that everyone entering the funeral home to please wear a mask. Masks will be provided inside the funeral home.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is in charge of these arrangements.