Joan Stewart Dry, 87, born on December 1, 1936, transitioned to Heaven on July 28, 2024 at 2:45 pm.  She is survived by her children: Elaine Wetherington (Bob) of Galatia, IL, Pam Stone and Louis Stone of Calvert City, KY, Nan Saylor (Rick) of Joppa, IL and Billy Dry (Luci) of Joppa, IL.  Her grandchildren: Jennifer and Justin Graves, Benjamin and Jennifer Wetherington, Anthony and Michal Beth Ellis, Amber Dry, John Dry, Jacob Dry, Joey Dry, Aaron and Leslie Saylor, Michael and Elaine Saylor, Elizabeth and Chris Hughes.  She had nine great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

Joan is survived by her sister, Sandra McLaughlin and several nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.  Joan was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Billy W. Dry, her parents, Harry and Evelyn Stewart, brothers, Robert and Donald Stewart and sister, Brenda Kirkpatrick.

Joan was from Mermet, IL and later lived most of her life in Joppa, IL.  She was an active member of the Joppa Baptist Church and when she could no longer participate, she became an avid prayer warrior.  She retired from Joppa High School, She was also was employed by Maple Grove School District.  She loved being a wife, mother and grandmother.  Joan loved cooking, sewing, crafting and especially music.  She played piano, and many other instruments.  She was a Sunday School teacher and a member of Home Extension.  She loved going to sports events with her grandsons.  Joan sang in the church choir and when she was younger, she sang with her daughters and several other gospel groups.

She was saved and baptized at a young age. She was a devoted Christian her entire life.  She prayed with and read her Bible to her children.  Even though she struggled with illness in the later months of her life, she read her Bible daily and continued to be a witness to her family and friends.  She loved her family with a passion.  She left a wonderful legacy for her family and her last wishes were that she would see all of them again in Heaven.

All prayers and thoughts for the family are appreciated.  Visitation will be held on August 2nd from 12-2 pm with a Going Home Service following at 2 pm at the Joppa Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. David Wright officiating.  Interment will follow at Metropolis Memorial Gardens in Metropolis.

Pallbearers are John Dry, Jacob Dry, Joey Dry, Amber Dry, Benjamin Wetherington, Anthony Ellis, and Justin Graves.    Honorary Pallbearers are Rick Saylor and Bob Wetherington.

Memorials may be sent to Loftus-McManus Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 760, Metropolis, Illinois 62960 to help the family with expenses.

Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com