Glenda Joan Ivey
December 29, 1968 – December 16, 2017

Miss Glenda Joan Ivey, age 48, of Griffin, GA passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Spalding Regional Hospital.

Miss Ivey was born in Duluth, GA on December 29, 1968. She is preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Joan Ivey; grandparents, Glen and Lillian Wingo and Elzer and Maetha Ivey, Sr.

She is survived by her father E. W. Ivey Jr; best friend, Cecilia Dell Carroll (Charles), aunt, Betty Higgins; cousins, Steve Higgins (Carla) and Regina Thompson; best friends and caretakers, Audrie Woods and Michelle Gentry; closest friend, Sabrina Lynn Kervin; and several nieces and nephews.

Miss Ivey was born with down syndrome at a time when her parents were told to put her in an institution, her parents refused to do this. She was entered into a Jimmy Carter pilot program in the early 70s called early childhood development. At three years old her mother carried her to the Georgia retardation center every day in Chamblee, GA. PL 94–142 was passed in 1972, and she was allowed to attend special education in Gwinnett County. Gwinnet was a growing county and building new schools every year. They would add a small room to each new school for the handicapped, so Glenda was transferred to a new school each year. She attended eight schools in Gwinnett County graduating in 1990 at Berkmar High School at age 21. Sometimes she was on the bus four hours a day just to attend the classes in special education. After graduation she attended a wonderful workshop at Hi Hope training center in Lawrenceville, GA. In 2003 her father retired, and moved to Griffin, where Glenda attended the Griffin Area Resource Center. Glenda enjoyed music, and listening to the radio and singing along. She especially loved Elvis and Prince. She loved making her bed, folding towels, bowling and eating out. Especially eating out, when she said “where is my belt” that meant let’s go out to eat. She loved her caretakers, Audrie and Michelle very much, and her special friend, Lynn who lives in Alabama. Lynn would call her every Sunday evening to chat. Lynn and Glenda were best friends for 46 years. Glenda loved her Jesus, and when she was young Mr. Ivey would carry her to churches all over Gwinnett County that had a program for special needs. She would find the preachers on the radio and listen for hours. She is now reunited with her mother Joan in heaven will be truly missed by all.

Funeral services for Miss Glenda Joan Ivey will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Home. Reverend Terry Butler will officiate. Interment will follow in Roberta City Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 12 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home.

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