Allendale Community Funeral Home | Allendale, SC

Obituary For Joan Hay

Funeral services for Retired Officer Joan Hay will be held on Sunday, 11:00 am June 13, 2021 at Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Martin SC with Reverend Rosevelt Sease officiating.

Retired Officer Joan Hay was born May 6,1954, in Allendale, South Carolina to Mrs. Laura Mae Hay and the late Sam Hay. She entered into eternal rest on June 2, 2021 at her residence.

She was a graduate of Allendale-Fairfax High School class of 1972. From high school, she enrolled in Massey Business College which relocated her to Jacksonville, Florida. While in Jacksonville, she worked retail (Lerner Department Store) and decided to pursue a more rewarding career with the City of Jacksonville. The City of Jacksonville open the doors of opportunity for Joan. She began working at the Juvenile Clerk’s Office. Ultimately, she transferred to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office where she became an Emergency Communication Operator (Jacksonville Office NCIC Dispatcher).

During the year of 1978, she transferred to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility (James E. Montgomery Facility). Through perseverance and hard work, she applied and was accepted into the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Police Academy, class of 1983. Joan loved working in Law Enforcement. She was passionate and dedicated to her profession for over 37 years. She would often speak of her daily law enforcement encounters with excitement. While at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, she worked in the Narcotic Division, the Detective Division, and lastly, she became a school resource officer.

She was highly respected by students and staff from Ribault Senior High School and Stanton College Preparatory School. Additionally, she was a dedicated member of the of the Fraternal Order of Police Lounge Number 530 and Jacksonville Brotherhood of Police Officers.

Even though Joan was actively involved with her South Carolina Church Family (Zion Hill Baptist Church), she decided to join St. Joseph Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Emeritus Henry T. Rhim, Sr., Joan loved sharing the word of God with family and friends. She loved both her church families.

She was a very outgoing intelligent person that liked telling jokes to make you laugh. Joan had a take charge kind of personality and was the leader in making family decisions.

She was preceded in death by her father and niece, Audrey Cave.

She leaves to cherish her fond memories, her mother Laura Mae Hay of Martin, SC; two brothers: Willie (Betty) Hay of Barnwell, SC and Kenneth Brooks of Cleveland, OH; three sisters: Dorothy (Curtis) Gantt of Martin, SC, Regina Hay and Delorise Hay both of Jacksonville, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and caring friends.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, June, 12, 2021 from 1- 7 p.m.

Friends may call at the funeral home.

Guest Book

Shirley and Joan were best friends and had such a wonderful relationship throughout their childhood, school days and well into their young adult life. In fact they considered themselves best friends for forever. The same sentiment held true for Mrs. Laura Mae and our mom, as both our families were all very closely knit. From working side-by-side in the cotton fields of the Carolina Low Country to the USDA Clemson University Cooperative Extensive Program our moms ensured family values, love of God and relations, and lending a neighborly hand were foundational components of our upbringing. And to this day our families remain true to these principles. The transition of both Joan and Shirley within a six month and one day time span is uncanny. Their people focused daily Christian walk is a profound testament of all the family love poured into them and exemplified over the years, as they would often put others above self, engage in truth telling practices and always take extra care to advance their best effort forward in living a servant life. Our shared grief is indeed heavy today, yet we hold fast to God's promise and trust Him through it all. While these two lovely spirits are now among the heavens, we are richly blessed having know and shared their presence as women of God and are people better individually and collectively because we experienced their unconditional love and believe God's word above all. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the family of Classmate (AF-1972) Shirley Seabrook

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To Willie,Betty and family our family is sorrowful to hear of your lost. May the Lord comfort and keep you and we will keep you all in prayer 🙏🏽❤ Andra,Carrie and family.

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My deepest sympathy to the Hay family during this difficult time. My time spent with Joan during study hall allowed me to appreciate her maturity--a high school grown-up. Malcolm Riley AFHS class of 72

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May the family be made strong with all the strength that comes from our Heavenly Father. Diane Gray Haygood Class of '72

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Heartfelt condolences extended to the Hay family and connected family members Cornelius Fields & Family

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Allendale Community Funeral Home | Allendale, SC