SAVANNAH - Joy Keisker Maner died peacefully July 24, 2013 after a long illness at her beloved home, Drifton, on the Grove River. Born in Savannah on May 13, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Alonzo Phelps Keisker and Jane McBrier Keisker. She was preceded in death by her brother James and her sister, Elizabeth Jane Betty Jane Losche. Her sister, Margaret Peggy Keisker Gunn of Savannah, survives her. She attended Pape School then graduated from Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, where she served as president of the Student Council for two years. She then attended the University of Georgia where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and played softball for the University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Upon graduation, she returned to Savannah but traveled extensively until she married and started her family.

Joy's name described her personality perfectly. She used her wonderful creativity, endless energy and boundless enthusiasm in her involvement in community affairs. She was the Brownie leader for her three daughters, was a team mother for the Tigers football team, chaired the Junior League Thrift Sale as well as being Vice President of the League, was on the Board for the Women's Guild of the Savannah Symphony and chaired the Country Fair at Savannah Country Day School. She was one of the founders of the Savannah Children's Theater. She was also actively involved in the Savannah Home for Girls and would bring two girls each year to stay at the family beach house each summer. She loved Bethesda Home for Boys and sponsored a resident for many years. She was member of St. John's Church.

Her great love was animals and the Humane Society of Greater Savannah. Living at Drifton, she rescued dogs and cats, raised quail and chickens, ducks and goats, horses and donkeys, and even rescued a flying squirrel named UFO. Joy truly enjoyed nature, was an avid environmentalist and a long time supporter of the Georgia Conservancy. She was an active supporter of Wilderness Southeast. After taking numerous outdoor adventures with them, their employees affectionately called her "Mother Nature". One great trip with her children was on a lobster boat with three marine biologists to the Dry Tortugas.

Her other great love was for her children. She is survived by Cynthia McBrier Maner Maloney and her husband Michael of Savannah, Frederick Debele Maner, Jr. of Savannah, Jane Maner Finch and her husband Greg of Charleston, South Carolina, Edwin Conrad Maner and his wife Dot of Savannah, Robert Carl Maner of Savannah, and Carol Ann Maner of Richmond Hill, Georgia. Sixteen grandchildren, one great grandchild and nieces and nephew also survive her.

Joy never met a stranger. She enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life. One of the stories that her children love was when she was driving down Highway 17 and saw a covered wagon pulled by two mules on the side of the road. She stopped to offer assistance and discovered that the wagon had a broken shaft. Joy trailered the mules to Drifton and invited the driver to stay in the guest cottage while she found someone to repair the wagon.

Her family is eternally grateful for the love, friendship and laughter that Kathy Reese shared with Joy as her companion and caregiver for the last twelve years. We were also blessed by the caregivers, especially Donna, and Hospice nurses provided by the THA group. The family greatly appreciated the wonderful care of her physician, Dr. Anthony Costrini and his nurses.
A memorial service will be held at St. John's Church on Madison Square at 11 am on Friday, August 2nd, 2013 with Father Gavin G. Dunbar officiating with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donations to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah.

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