Joyce Hardy "Reta" Christopher

Joyce Hardy “Reta” Christopher passed away at her home on July 21, 2022, surrounded by her family after a brief and very courageous battle with cancer.

Reta was born on May 15, 1941, the daughter of Reverend Pete and Flora Hardy. She grew up in Clarkston, Georgia, and graduated from Clarkston High School.

In 1961 she married her loving husband of 61 years, Dennis Christopher. Together they lived, raised their daughter, Lisa, and worked tirelessly  to build their family business in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Later, they relocated and enjoyed abundantly life on their farm in Covington, Georgia. There, she loved hosting her family and friends for holiday gatherings, hay rides, and she was especially known for her annual Easter Egg hunt, Farm Day and Camp Christopher. She had the gift of a “green thumb,” and her flower gardens were a great source of pleasure for her and were outstandingly beautiful year after year. She enjoyed years of gathering with the Mansfield Garden Club where she shared her ministry of reaching out to members with cards of love and concern. She had a host of close, lifelong friends with whom she shared many travels and great adventures. She had a bright and energetic personality and was known for her ability to love and help others. She touched many lives with her generosity and passion for life. She loved the Lord, and her faith was apparent through the way she lived every day of her life. She was a longtime, active and servant member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Her beautiful life will be forever cherished in the hearts of her husband Dennis, her daughter Lisa Chambers (Tom), her grandchildren Ali, Anna and Thomas Chambers of Johns Creek, GA, her sister Kathy Croley (the late Chris Croley) of Monroe, GA, her niece Michelle Croley (Donovan) of Bogart, GA, her nephews Matthew Croley (Mollie) of Aiken, SC, and Joshua Croley (Chelsie) of Monroe, GA, her great nieces and nephews Chandler Croley, Landon Croley, Trenton Gilley, Brantley Croley, Audrey Gilley, Landen Wolaver, Isabella Croley and Christopher Croley, along with many cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, July 24, at Bethel Baptist Church, 1147 Panola Road, Stone Mountain, GA. She will lie in state at 1:00 PM. Following the service she will be laid to rest at Bethel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 PM on Saturday, July 23, at Wages Funeral Home, 1040 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethel Cemetery, 207 Oxford Drive, Oxford, GA 30054.