Joyce (Joy) LaVaughn Hoops Driggers Bird

February 10, 1931 – September 25, 2024

Joyce (Joy) LaVaughn Hoops Driggers Bird passed away September 25, 2024. She was born February 10, 1931 in Evansville, Ind., to Bob and Bernice Hoops.

Joy graduated from Benjamin Bosse High School in 1949 and married Mel Driggers, U.S. Air Force. She proceeded to live in eight states and visited many foreign countries. She was employed at Ayr-Way and Target at Nora as department manager, H.C. Prange’s department store in Madison, Wis., and Kohl’s at Castleton as Area Supervisor. Joy was a member of First Baptist Church of Indianapolis where she was a choir member, Bible Study leader, a founding member of the ABW Women’s Book Club and church librarian. In her spare time, she also loved gardening, reading mysteries, sewing counted cross stitch, crocheting scarves, and coloring adult coloring books. She was an avid Butler basketball, NASCAR, and IndyCar fan. Joy was fondly known by her family as Nana.

Joy is survived by her son, Lee Driggers (Pam); daughter, Jan Merritt (Phil); daughter, Joy Melissa Driggers (Kathy Saboda); son, Guy Driggers (Hether); and son, Jay Driggers (Terri); stepchildren, Linda Brinkman (Tom), James A. Bird (Lynn), and Beth Watson (Ralph); nine grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 13 step-great-grandchildren.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, and husbands, Melvin L. Driggers and James E. Bird.

Visitation will be at First Baptist Church of Indianapolis, 86th Street and College Avenue, on Thursday, October 10, with visitation from 11 a.m. to noon, and the funeral service at noon. Arrangements are being handled by Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ), P.O. Box 628222 Orlando, FL 32862-8222 (cru.org).

Condolences: randallroberts.com