Joy Ames

Joy Ann McConnell Ames passed peacefully at the Cleveland Clinic surrounded by family on September 9, 2021. Joy was born at Hale Hospital in Wilmington, Ohio on November 22, 1950, to William Veidt and Mary Alice Botts McConnell. She grew up with her younger sister, Sharon Lynne McConnell Dome.

She graduated from Wilmington High School in 1968, where she refined her love of singing as a member of the Wilmingtones. She was also a proud member of Phi Delta Sigma. She met the love of her life, John Ames, in September of that year after he returned from Vietnam. They fell quickly in love and being the romantic she always was, they were married on February 14, 1969. They were blessed by the arrival of their son, Jody William Ames on July 23, 1970, and their daughter, Jennifer Lynne Ames Carver on April 26, 1972.

Joy was a wonderful mother and was very involved with her children’s activities. She coached girls’ softball, was involved with 4H, and could always be found at the end of a lane, timing races with her friends at the home meets at Clinton Swim Club. She was PTO President, involved in the campaign to build Holmes Elementary School, active in WHS Boosters and “Momma Joy” spent Friday nights in the fall, under the lights, running the football concession stand at Alumni Field while her children were in high school.

Joy was a legal secretary for thirty plus years; she loved the law and working with people. She spent the majority of her career at Peelle Law Offices, where she adored her work family. She made many life-long friendships there. She accepted an offer to be Deputy Director for Clinton County Board of Electionsin 2007, where she served her community until her retirement in 2017. Joy enjoyed traveling after retirement with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She also cherished meeting up with family at her mom’s house to play cards, and never shied away from a game of Mexican train dominoes.

She had a true and faithful love for the Lord, Jesus Christ. She was raised at First Baptist Church and was baptized when she was twelve by Pastor Hooper. Her love of music shined through as an active member of the choir and as a soloist. As an adult, you could find Joy sitting with her family, her parents and sister’s family, every Sunday in the fourth pew on the right, known as the “McConnell pew”. Joy especially loved attending Sunrise Services on Easter Sunday and the breakfast that followed. John and Joy, along with her parents, joined the Bible Baptist Church in Wilmington in 1997. Joy loved being an active member at Bible Baptist where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and enjoyed decorating and hosting a table for the ladies Christmas dinner. She felt led to teach a Sunday School class for women over 60 years old and was thrilled when she was able to do so. The class lovingly became named “Joyful Ladies”.

Joy gleamed with pride when she spent time with her 5 amazing grandchildren: Lauren, DJ, Mia, Colin, and Maxwell. She cherished being a part of the things they loved, and you could always find her supporting them at their school, sporting, and life events. Joy was thrilled when her grandkids surprised her with a family trip to Disney to celebrate her 62nd birthday. Riding rides and dancing with them at her birthday dinner alongside Disney characters was a treasure for her. Her family anxiously awaited Joy’s famous Christmas stockings each year, especially her grandchildren. She amazed everyone with her ability to put the perfect stocking together. The amount of thought, care and time that went into each stocking was amazing. She made everyone feel special.

Joy is survived by her mother Mary (William) McConnell of Wilmington, Ohio; beloved husband John Ames of Wilmington, Ohio; children Jody (Tracy) Ames of South Lebanon, Ohio and Jennifer (David) Carver of Loveland, Ohio; grandchildren Lauren, Daniel (DJ), and Colin Ames of South Lebanon, Ohio and Mia and Maxwell Carver of Loveland, Ohio; sister Sharon (Mark) Dome of Wilmington, Ohio; niece Christie Dome of Montgomery, Ohio and nephew Nicholas (Liz) Dome of Portland, Oregon; great-niece Josie Dome of Portland, Oregon; and her adored dog Harley. Joy is preceded in death by her father William McConnell and her niece Stacey Dome, both of Wilmington, Ohio. Joy adored her in-laws and is survived by her mother-in-law and father-in-law Janet (Joe) Fournier of Trotwood, Ohio; sisters-in-law Cindy Ames of Wilmington, Ohio, Michelle (Laura) Fournier-Wick of Tipp City, Ohio, and Renee (Mike) O’Ryan of Vandalia, Ohio; nieces-inlaw Melissa Ames of Greenville, Ohio, Jara Collins of Dayton, Ohio, and Shannon Kimbrel of Dallas, Texas; nephew Michael (Sabrina) Fournier of Miamisburg, Ohio; several great-nieces and greatnephews. She is preceded in death by her sister-in-law Susie Collins of Dayton, Ohio.

Our family would like to extend a special thank you to Joy’s cousin, Brenda (Neal) Hinz of Strongsville, Ohio who opened their home to us while we cared for mom at the Cleveland Clinic. They greeted us each night with a hug, a place to stay, a conversation about our day, and a warm meal. Words cannot express our gratitude.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wilmington City Schools (Joy Ames on the memo line) at 341 South Nelson Ave, Wilmington, OH 45177, or to the American Liver Foundation at liverfoundation.org.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 21 from 4-6 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Bible Baptist Church, 55 Megan Drive, Wilmington Ohio. A light reception will follow

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