Joy Kaye Peebles

Joy Kaye Peebles, 50, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026, at Heritage Living Center in Conway, surrounded by her loved ones. Joy came into the world with a unique set of limitations, but was gifted with a pure heart and sweet spirit, born an angel and remaining one until her last breath.

Joy was born October 21, 1975, in Gravette, Arkansas, to Syd and JoAnn Peebles. After the family moved to Northeast Arkansas, Joy attended Lafe Elementary and Marmaduke High School. She spent many happy years at home with mom and dad, attending the FOCUS day program in Paragould for adults with developmental disabilities.

In 2013, Syd, JoAnn, and Joy moved to Conway to be closer to Joy’s older sister and her family. Joy began attending the Profiles day program at Independent Living Services in Conway and eventually moved into Reynolds House to join a community of seven other wonderful ladies who became dear friends. Joy loved her purple bear, petting dogs, sipping hot lattes, looking at pictures, fiddling with an Etch-a-Sketch, enjoying a really good meal, and commanding ownership of whatever chair she chose to claim in your house. Her words were few, often impossible to understand, but she said all she needed to with her expressions. Stub a toe, and she’d laugh. Steal her chair, and she’d frown. Most frequently, though, she simply offered you a smile and a hug.

As Joy began to need more specialized care, she found a new home at Heritage Living Center, surrounded by a group of caring and capable nurses, aides, and, in the end, a dedicated team of Hospice professionals.

Joy is survived by her parents, Syd and JoAnn Peebles of Conway; her sister Janet Harris (Jimmy) and niece Bailey Harris of Conway; cousins Donna Hamaker of Cave City; Gale Peebles of Jonesboro; Donald McGee of Strawberry, Beverly McGee of Batesville; Sue Huckaba of Mabelvale; Jerry Hugh McGee of Strawberry, and a host of other family members and loved ones, including many of her devoted caregivers over the years who were like a part of her family.

Joy was preceded in death by her uncle Jess Peebles; grandparents Ray and Rena Peebles; grandparents E.L. and Ruby Ingram; and aunt Betty Peebles.

Funeral services will be held at Qualls Funeral Home in Batesville, Arkansas, at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, September 8, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm. Joy’s final resting place will be at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Poughkeepsie, Arkansas. Services will be led by Dr. Doug Harris. Pallbearers are Doug Huckaba, Donald McGee, Jimmy Harris, Adam Hamaker, Aaron Hamaker, and Kody Headley. In place of flowers, memorials in Joy’s name may be made to Independent Living Services in Conway, Arkansas.