Joann Geneva Bays, 83, of South Whitley, Ind., passed away at 7:13 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana, Fort Wayne, Ind.

She was born on June 19, 1930 in Round Head, Ohio, to Lester and Nora (Whitaker) Nichols. She then met Roy Bays at a restaurant while playing the guitar at age 16 and fell in love and on Sept. 12, 1947, she married her lifetime sweetheart in Warsaw, Ind.

She spent her childhood in Ohio until her early teens when she and her family moved to Laketon, Ind., where she attended high school. Also at age 16 she became a backup singer for Red Follie. She was first employed as a waitress at the liberty and Humpty Dumpty and several other Warsaw restaurants. She then worked at Whitley Products in Pierceton, Ind., and Chamberlin and Gripco both in South Whitley. In her 40’s she became a full homemaker. She loved roller skating, singing, playing the guitar, piano and organ, gardening and cooking. She was always a strong will person and was always willing to give advice and views; however, she was a very giving and loving person. 

She is survived by two children: Diana (Tim) Moyer, South Whitley; Timmy (Barbara) Bays, Lineville, Ala.; three grandchildren: Barry (Jennie) Bays, Tanner Moyer and Tristan (Christy Green) Moyer; and three great-grandchildren: Blake S. Bays, Pressley and Lilley Moyer; one sister: Virgie Thompson, Laketon, Fla.; her companion of 7 years: Harold Rhoades, Columbia City; and brother-in-law: Gerald ‘Bud’ Hites, Columbia City.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband: Roy Bays; three siblings: Ralph and Melvin Nichols and Donna Hites. 

Visitation will be held at 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Dr., Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, with Reverend Glen Hughes and Reverend Robie Whitaker officiating. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given in Joann’s memory to the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, Warsaw.