Norma Joyce (Joy) Register, age 90, of Dade City, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Royal Oak Nursing Center.

She was born September 24, 1930, in Cumberland, Maryland, the daughter of the late Vernon Freeman and Mildred Freeman.

She is survived by husband, Ray Register of Dade City, Florida and two sons, John Greene of Brooksville, Florida and Charles Greene and wife Jennifer of Boone, North Carolina; grandchildren, John-Todd Greene and wife Lucy of Dillon, Colorado; Hailey Greene of Clarkesville, Georgia; and grandsons Joshua, Justin-Michael and Joseph-Daniel Greene of Boone. She was preceded in death by grandson Jacob-Thomas Greene of Boone, North Carolina.

Upon graduating from West Virginia Tech in the early 50s, Joy went to work as a feature writer for The Charleston Daily Mail. At the Daily Mail, Joy became the first woman to go down into a coal mine to interview miners. Later, after her time at the Daily Mail, she taught high school senior english and journalism, as well as oversaw the school paper and yearbook.

After taking 15 years off to raise kids, she retuned to work as a reporter for the Plant City Currier. From the Currier she went to the Exchange Bank Corporation in Tampa to do the employee newsletter and later becoming the Director of Corporate Communications. Exchange Bank was eventually purchased by the NCNB Corporation, which later became BANK OF AMERICA. Joy was again looking for a new job since NCNB already had a Communications Director. She was fortunate enough to get a job with the FLORIDA DENTAL ASSOCIATION as the Managing Editor of the FLORIDA DENTAL JOURNAL. At the Association, she brought the journal from an outdated paper publication to one of the best magazine dental journals in the nation. After being there for over a decade, the associate decided to relocate to Tallahassee and Joy elected not to move and then retired.

Even in retirement however, Joy couldn't stay away from publications. She volunteered to be the Editor of the church newsletter at the Ridge Manor United Methodist Church, which she did for several years.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 1pm at Ridge Manor Community United Methodist Church (34350 Cortez Blvd, Ridge Manor, FL 33523). A reception will follow the service.

Memorial gifts are being received for the church. Make checks payable to: RMCUMC at 34350 Cortez Blvd, Ridge Manor, FL 33523.

Ridge Manor Community United Methodist Church

Ridge Manor Community United Methodist Church