Gloria Joyce Allgood

Joyce Byrd Allgood July 21, 1939 - August 6, 2026 Gloria Joyce Allgood (Joyce), 87, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Thursday, August 6, 2026. She was preceded in death by her mother, Leona May Parthenia Cooper Byrd; father, William Clyde Byrd; and husband of 28 years, Cecil Thomas Allgood. She is survived by her daughter, Kathryn (Eric) Martini; her son, Philip Ponder; and grandson, Christopher Martini. Joyce was born on July 21, 1939, and grew up in Atlanta, GA. She graduated from Brown High School in Atlanta and Wesleyan College in Macon, GA, where she majored in organ music and music education. After college, she married ex-husband Neal Ponder, Jr., with whom she shared children Kathryn and Philip (and with whom she continued a valued friendship until her death). She lived in various cities in Georgia, including Atlanta, Marietta, Oxford, Dalton, Lithonia, and, for the majority of her life (since 1978), Conyers. Over the years, she worked as a high school math teacher (Druid Hills HS), church organist (St. Paul United Methodist Church, Marietta and Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, Oxford), elementary school music teacher (C.J. Hicks Elementary, Conyers), and librarian (Nancy Guinn Library in Conyers, where she continued to work part-time into her early 80's.) Joyce loved music, cooking, gardening, reading, watching Oglethorpe University men's basketball (where her son is the head coach), and bragging about her children and her grandson, a premed student at Emory University. Most of all, she loved her family and friends, each of whom brought incredible joy to her life. Dubbed the "Queen of Shadowlawn" by friends, due to her enduring and charismatic presence within the community, she was a people person with a quick wit and vivacious charm. She was considered a second mother by many Oxford and Conyers area children of the 70's and 80's (friends of her children) and was a favorite teacher to many young students of that era. She was also an excellent cook, and her fried chicken, meatloaf, country fried steak, chili, porcupine meatballs, cornbread dressing, blackberry cobbler, and multitude of delectable side dishes, were legendary. Late in life, she experienced health issues, which culminated in a near fatal event in May of 2024. She suffered multi-organ failures, was in a coma and on a respirator for weeks, and in hospitals and rehab facilities for months. Throughout this ordeal she not only survived but thrived. She attacked her rehab and recovery with hard work and zeal, and amazed her doctors, therapists, family, and friends with how far she rebounded. Her feisty spirit enabled her to overcome each challenge with a positive attitude. In March 2025, after 10 months of recovery, she was able to return to her beloved home in Conyers, and her final 17 months of life were full -- spending time with her family, who were her absolute pride and joy, enjoying visits from and social events with her friends, running around Conyers with her young caretaker, Trinity Austin, who became like an adopted granddaughter to her, and enjoying all of her favorite activities. She frequently remarked with contentment that she had already accomplished everything on her bucket list but would then proceed to enthusiastically add new items to it. Joyce will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Rest in Peace beautiful lady. Services: Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 4:00-5:00 PM, in the narthex of Conyers First Methodist Church, 921 N. Main Street NW, Conyers, GA. The memorial service will follow in the church sanctuary at 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to either the Oglethorpe University Men's Basketball team or the Emory Autism Center (where her grandson is a research assistant). Condolences may be submitted online at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.