Joy Culver McGuire

Joy Culver McGuire, 82, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

Joy was born in Birmingham, Alabama to John E. Culver and Lee Ernestine Culver on November 13, 1942. She graduated from Tarrant High School in 1960 and attended Jacksonville State University as well as Auburn University. 

Joy met Mike McGuire while at Jax State and they married in 1963. Mike made a career of the US Army and Joy became a wonderful military wife living in various parts of the United States and Germany. She was the epitome of a "chief of staff" in the home raising three children while Mike performed his military duties including two tours to Vietnam. While at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana Joy found the "wonderful world of golf". Golf was the primary activity outside the home and enabled her to play in many special tournaments at fantastic places such as Berlin, Germany and Luxembourg not to mention hundreds of courses throughout the states.

Joy was the perfect lady who seldom met a stranger, always displaying her natural Southern charm. She did have a feisty side that one might experience on the golf course all in good nature. Joy loved, supported, and served the ladies' group at the Redstone Arsenal Golf Course. She also loved to travel, going on several cruises throughout the Caribbean. Her longest dream was to own a condo on the beach. This dream recently became a reality when we purchased a beautiful unit facing the Gulf where in the mornings you would find her on the balcony drinking coffee and watching for the dolphins to swim by.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ernestine Culver; brother, J.W. Culver; and eldest son Mikey.

She is survived by her husband, Colonel Michael McGuire (US Army Retired); son, Mark C. McGuire (Shelly); daughter, Lee Antonio (Jimmy); granddaughter, Nicole Maldonado (Sharn); granddaughter, Hailey Thomas (Brenden); grandson, Steven; and two great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the tremendous care provided by North Alabama Hospice, especially her designated nurse Erin Potter. In addition, we deeply appreciate all of the support and treatment that she received from Doctor Amy Carter, the Southern Cancer Center, and Doctor Amy Luckenbaugh of Vanderbilt Medical Center Urology Department.

In lieu of a funeral service Joy specifically wanted a "celebration of life" gathering to remember her to all of the dear friends and experiences she had over the years. To honor her memory, and in lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Joy McGuire to the North Alabama Hospice who helped guide her through her final journey home is suggested.

The Celebration of Life Gathering will take place at the Edgewater Subdivision Clubhouse, 111 Edgewater Drive, Madison, AL (off of Zierdt Road), on Friday, March 28th between 2 and 6pm. Please stop by at your convenience.