Loretta Joyce (Porter) Dennison entered into the presence of the Lord mercifully, in the blink of an eye, just as she had hoped she would, on Monday afternoon, July 13, 2020, at her home in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Joyce was the fifth child of sixteen born to Robert Eph Porter and Ethel Mae Holbrook Porter on September 20, 1937, in Olive Hill, Kentucky.  She married William Rondal Dennison on July 4, 1956, whom she had known most of her life, and whom she declared to the end was the best man she had ever known.  During their marriage of 63 years, they raised three girls and traveled extensively as a military family.  Joyce attended business school and worked in civil service, starting in accounting and eventually overseeing data processing and IT as a supervisor at Fort Richardson, Alaska.  Later, she worked as an editor in the advertising department of the Suncoast News in New Port Richey, Florida.  In 2000, she and Rondal retired to their farm in Guysville, Ohio, enjoying a quiet life in the country for many happy years. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and frequent trips to the local Elder Beerman department store, where they knew her by name.  In 2015, Joyce and Rondal moved to Spotsylvania, Virginia, where they were lovingly cared for in their final years.  We, her family, will miss her zest for life, filled with travel, concerts, theater, shopping, and visits to spas and tea shops with her girls.  Her love for the Lord and her protective and deep-rooted love for her family was evident in all things, from her weekly phone calls to her siblings and her joy in attending family reunions, not to mention her Christmas candy and perfect blackberry jam that she lovingly made for us all.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, her daughter, Susan Diane Mora; her parents; and siblings Gene Porter, Vernice Porter Rose, Elvie Porter, and Donna Porter Stephens.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Lynn (Jim) Goins of Spotsylvania, Virginia, and Lisa Lorraine (Paul) Repke of Hueytown, Alabama, along with grandchildren, Melissa Ann Goins of Old Town Orange, CA; David James (Marisa) Goins, San Diego, CA; Lindsay Diane Mora, Fredericksburg, VA; Katelyn Lorraine Repke, Birmingham, AL; Benjamin John (Diana) Repke, Ramer, AL; Steven Paul (Tiffany) Repke, Tuscaloosa, AL; Mark William Repke, Vincent, AL; Sarah Ruth Repke, Birmingham, AL; and great grandchildren Jackson David and Maverick James Goins, Eleanor Rose Repke, Tess Ramos Repke, Caelan Royale Mora, and Zoe and Roxie Haims.  She is also survived by siblings Rondall (Delores) Porter, Clyde (Joretta) Porter, Margaret (Theron) Dennison, Pearl (John) Sands, Aric (Wendy) Porter, Jim (Barbara) Porter, Ray (Ingrid) Porter, Carl (Kathy) Porter, Rodney (Pam) Porter, Terry (Missy) Porter, and Keith (Tammy) Porter.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020 at Gassaway Baptist Church with Pastor Blaine Dennison officiating.  Interment will be in the Jacob Shaver Memorial Cemetery, Exchange.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway.