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Joyce Gardner Kolbuss, 79, of Bainbridge, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2024. 

The memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to jw.org.

Linda Joyce Gardner was born February 1, 1945, in Bainbridge, GA, the daughter of William “Sam” and Pauline McDowell Gardner. She was a graduate of Bainbridge High School. Joyce married Jerry Kolbuss in 1964 and lived in Columbus, Atlanta, and Pontiac, MI before settling back in Bainbridge in 1972. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1984 and loved to share her love of Bible truths with family, friends, and community.

Joyce was a precious lady with a heart of gold. She never said an unkind word about anyone and was dubbed the “queen of hospitality”. Her love for her family, especially her grandsons, Michael & Scotty, shined through every aspect of her life. All of the nieces & nephews always wanted to stay with “Aunt Joyce”, and over the years, she was a second mother to many others. She was an excellent cook as those who enjoyed her chocolate chip cookies would attest. Her skills weren’t limited; grilling came like second nature, and she could give her brothers a run for their money when it was time to gash suckers.

Survivors include her husband of 60 years, Jerry Kolbuss; her sons, Shane Kolbuss (Cindy) of Bainbridge and Ashley Kolbuss (Sharon) of LaGrange; her grandchildren, Michael and Scotty; her siblings, Burl Gardner (Donna), Sammy Gardner (Cathy), Allen Gardner (Wilda), Georgia Hunt (Henry), Carolyn Conarad (Bobby), Patricia Elsberry (Ken), and Steve Gardner (Debi); her sister-in-law, Kathy K. Gardner; and her many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her brothers, Herbert McGinnis and Charles Gardner.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)