Joy Alice Anderson Gallion passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026 with her loving family by her side. She was a proud member of a chartered family of Asheville, NC, where she was born, raised her children and lived her entire life. She was the daughter of the late Norman R. Anderson, Sr. and the late Ann C. Anderson.
It is with deep sadness and hearts full of gratitude for her life that we share the loss of our dear friend and volunteer Joy Anderson Gallion. Joy has been committed to putting love in action through BeLoved since our inception. She always gave from the heart! She has been a part of our community gatherings and brought all the generations of her family to help in the work from her wonderful mom, to her children, and grandchildren. She shared her talent as a Vidal Sasson trained hair stylist to offer free hair cuts.
Everyone that left her chair felt like new and had their hearts lifted by being in her presence. She was active with our street outreach and filling our BeLoved Street pantries especially in West Asheville where she was born and raised. Joy taught by example what life is truly all about celebrating everyone around her no matter who they are and embodying and sharing joy! She will be deeply missed! We are now preparing ways to honor her legacy at BeLoved through lasting beauty and shared service. We love you Joy!
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our Joy.
Joy spread joy wherever she went. She was fun-loving and high-spirited. She loved life; she loved living. Every day was a good day for a celebration.
Joy loved family gatherings, children, animals, bubbles, New Year’s Eve and silly string, dancing, Halloween, Christmas, the color purple, and Prince.
She was open, trusting, loving and filled with compassion. Joy was a natural care-giver; she lived her life reaching out and helping others no matter how small or how great the need. Joy loved all people; she never met a stranger and showed heartfelt concern for those less fortunate. She spent her last years caring for her mother Ann as her devoted live-in care-giver.
Joy is survived by the love of her life, her husband, William Anderson Gallion who lovingly and selflessly supported Joy in taking care of her mother, Ann.
Joy was a loving mother to five children and two grandchildren of her own, and so many whom she claimed as hers. She was always available to lend an ear, and offer love and support at any time of the day or night. Joy leaves behind her children Lucien Gibbs, Devin Gibbs (Nick Hubbard), Josh Anderson Gallion (Haley Anderson Gallion), Israel Mashburn (Jonathan Mashburn), Summer Anderson Gallion and grandchildren Zeke and Levi.
Joy is also survived by her three siblings, Tina Anderson (Jean Lemay), Andy Anderson (Michelle) and Jill Anderson, her many nieces and nephews, and close friends and relatives too many to count.
As were her parents, Joy was a lifelong member of Abernethy Methodist, where she served as an organizer of children’s church and vacation bible school. She also enjoyed her teenage years in the United Methodist Youth.
She did a ́lot of volunteering for different organizations, and worked professionally as a hairstylist in Asheville after studying at the Vidal Sassoon Academy of hair design in London, England.
Joy will be truly missed by so many friends and family members.