Joy Lynn Nixon Hunt, age 72, fulfilled her earthly mission after a heroic battle with cancer, surrounded by her beloved family on December 21, 2025, at her daughter Amy Trammel’s home in Salem. She was born on March 10, 1953, in Danville, Illinois, to George John Nixon, Jr. and Ruby Mae Market, being the third of their seven children. She was a loving daughter to her parents and joyfully carried on their Christian family values, leaving behind a legacy of family devotion which was the passion that shaped her life.
Joy was a strong yet easy spirit. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved gardening, playing Scrabble, visiting her very loved Market relatives in Indiana, sharing the annual Thankful Christmas dinner event with the Nixon relatives. And when her kids were little, swimming with them in Aunt Lois’s pool. Joy’s life was full. She also loved her dog Tabby, Larry’s dog named Larry Wayne, and riding a motorcycle with her recently deceased husband, Larry. She especially loved reading her Bible, listening to contemporary Christian worship music and staying close to her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Joy attended St. Patrick’s Grade School, East Park Junior High, Danville High School, and Danville Junior College, all in Danville, Illinois. She later attended Eastern Illinois University. Her easy nature and pageant winning smile caught the attraction of her first love, Bill Taylor, whom she married at age 16 and had three beautiful children together – Amy, Heidi, and Billy. After his sudden passing, she later met, fell in love with and married Larry Hunt with whom she happily gained son Chris (Keri) Hunt of Lumberton, TX, son Jason (Roni) Hunt of Rising Fawn, GA, son Brad (Tisha) Shaw of Georgetown, IL, and daughter Tiffany (Cody) Perez of Georgetown, IL; grandchildren Shelby Hunt, Nora Mann, Mariah Harrison, Colton Cooper, Issac Perez, Brayden Perez, Aurora Perez, Abby Pratt, Arianna Baker, Brooklyn Shaw, and late Maddy Baker. In most recent years, Joy worked part-time at Habitat ReStore in Danville.
Joy is deeply missed and survived by her sister Mary (Scott) Turton of Gunnison, UT, brother George “Nik” (Mamie) J. Nixon III of Warner, NH, brother Dennis (Mipette) Nixon of McKinney, TX, sister Lori Pett of Downers Grove, IL, and sister Marsha (Paul) Gonzalez of New Lenox, IL; daughter Amy (Rick) Trammel, daughter Heidi (Kenneth) Williams, and son Billy Taylor; grandchildren Michael Trammel, Elijah Trammel, Krystal Williams, Diamond Williams, Grant Wilkinson, Tyler Wilkinson, Katilyn Wilkinson, Kayla Wilkinson, Adam Wilkinson, Anthony (Katie) Taylor, Briar (Dakota) McFadden; and great granddaughter Oakley Taylor. She was a fondly loved cousin and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Joy’s love and memory will carry on in all our hearts and prayers.
A special tribute to Roni Hunt who came up from Georgia to personally attend Joy as one of her hospice nurses and the sweet care she gave.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Alvin Church of God 109 South St. Alvin, IL 61811. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow the service in Georgetown Cemetery. Rortvedt Funeral Services is honored to assist the family with services. Online condolences: www.rortvedtfuneralservices.com.
