Joy Elizabeth Peak Elam

08/05/1932 - 04/04/2026

Joy Elizabeth Peak Elam was born in Washington D.C. on August 5, 1932 to the late John Frederick West and Lula Augusta Leach West. She passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026 at Bethany House in Auburn, AL. She was 93 years old.

Joy spent her youth in Washington D.C. before moving with her family to Griffin, GA. She attended Emory university where she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing that she was very proud of. In 1951, Joy met William F. Peak while he was stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. They married in 1953 and had two children, Billy and Susan. The family moved to Auburn, AL in 1961. Joy married Colonel David L. Elam in 2013 and they lived happily together until David's passing in 2018.

She enjoyed a nursing career at Lee County Hospital and shared many fond memories of her time in the Labor and Delivery Department over the years. She stepped away from bedside nursing in the 1960's to become the first school nurse for Auburn City Schools. In 1969, Joy was instrumental in the development of a dental program for children of the school system. Through her persistence and commitment to the program, many children would receive dental care for decades to follow. Upon retirement, Joy had spent many years working in administration at Auburn University where she made many lifelong friends. In addition to her nursing career, she was also very proud of her role in helping many international graduate students assimilate to life in the United States.

Joy was a beloved mother, grandmother (lovingly referred to as "Bobo") and great-grandmother. A friend to all, she was always ready to lend an ear or help solve a problem. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Peak Barnes of Opelika, AL; granddaughters: Amy Barnes of Hoover, AL and Katie Barnes Long (Russ) of Auburn, AL; grandson: William F. Peak III of Auburn, AL; great-grandsons: Bennett and Nash Griffin of Hoover, AL. Joy is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Augusta West, 3 siblings, husband David Elam, and son William F. Peak Jr.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Compassus Hospice and The Bethany House for the outstanding support, care and comfort provided to Joy in her last months and days. A very special thanks to her longtime friend and confidant, Lillie Hicks; and her beloved caregiver Bridget Dowdell who was a great source of strength and friendship for Joy.

A memorial service will be held at Frederick Dean Funeral Home on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 2:00pm. Interment will be at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, AL at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joy's name to CARE Humane Society in Auburn, AL.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.