Joy Tayloe Hancock

- We are saddened to announce the passing of Joy Theresa Tayloe Hancock on February 22, 2023, at the age of 80. Born to John Thomas and Luzane Wynns Tayloe, Joy grew up in Memphis and spent her summers on Kentucky Lake near Paris, TN.

Joy was ahead of her time. She raced cars, worked in the retail fashion industry, and sky dived at 70. After graduating from Webber College, she raised three children with James “Johnny” Shelley of Lake Wales, Florida. Joy worked with her father at John Tayloe Glass and later made a name for herself in real estate. She earned the Multi Million Dollar Club Life Member designation with Crye-leike in Germantown, proudly teaching new agents.

Later in life Joy reconnected with high school sweetheart William “Bill” Hancock and relocated to Sherborn, MA and then Asheville, NC. She delighted in the community at Pilgrim Church, entertaining friends, and travel with months in Shanghai and London. She became known for the world’s best chicken ‘n’ rice and the gift of a Karo pecan pie.

Joy is survived by her sister Luzane Tayloe Draughon, son J. Andrew Shelley (Dr. Kimberly Stegmaier) of Boston, MA, daughter Alexa Shelley of Seattle, WA, many beloved cousins, and grandchildren Madden and Alessia, and Palmer and Emme--children of her youngest child, John Palmer “J.P.” Shelley, gone from this life far too soon.

A service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Paris, TN on March 25th at 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Joy Tayloe Hancock are welcome: Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, 7901 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, TN 38138, 901-758-2228.