A funeral service next week will remember one of Helston’s best known former shop managers and a much-loved figure in the town.

Joy Williams (nee Fox) died on July 3, at the age of 78.

The mother of well-known Helston businessman Robert Williams and his brother Neil, Joy was also much respected in the town’s business community in her own right, as co-manager of the Joy Williams china and nursery supplies shop in Meneage Street.

Based next door to family business JC Williams, Joy managed the shop with her sister-in-law Joy London (nee Williams) who the shop was actually named after.

Joy lived in Helston for more than 60 yearsJoy lived in Helston for more than 60 years (Image: Family picture)

Although born in Redruth, Joy was very much Helston through and through, having lived in the town for more than 60 years.

During her 20s she worked as a hairdresser, before opening her own gift shop in St Ives, called Town and Country, during the 1980s.

From there she came to work in the Joy Williams shop in Helston, where she remained until it closed on December 31, 2014, on the eve of its 60th anniversary year.

Outside of work, Joy was a passionate artist, displaying many of her paintings around the home, and also enjoyed needlework and quilting.

One of Joy's paintingsOne of Joy's paintings (Image: Family picture)

Her son Robert recalled: “She spent hours creating things. She was always a very creative person, and she liked to be precise and do things right.”

Joy was a keen cook, loving nothing more than to whip up meals in her Aga to feed her growing family that included sons Robert and Neil, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild – although she was also partial to a meal out at a restaurant.

Joy withJoy with sons Robert (left) and Neil (right) on Robert's wedding day (Image: Family picture)

Her faith was also very important to her and a significant part of her life. She attended Helston Pentecostal Church during the 1980s and 90s, although more recently was a member of Kingsgate Church at the Old Cattle Market, where she went with her son Neil.

Neil said: “She will be greatly missed, always being a great source of encouragement and support.”

Joy was Joy was much loved and respected in the town (Image: Family picture)

Joy spent the last three months of her life at Trevern Nursing Home in Falmouth, and her family have thanked the whole team there for their professionalism and “wonderful care” for Joy in her final weeks.

A funeral service to celebrate her life will now take place at Treswithian Downs Crematorium near Camborne on Thursday, July 25 at 11am, led by the Rev Danny Reed.

A retiring collection in lieu of flowers will be taken for Dementia UK, and donations in her memory can also be made to Pendle Funeral Services via www.pendlefunerals.org.uk