Joy Susanne Mrs. Lieblong Obituary (1950 - 2018)

Celebration of Life with reception following/ Date: Thursday December 13, 2018/ Time: 10:00 AM/ Place: St. James UMC, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR, 72212/ Joy Susanne (Johnson) Lieblong of Little Rock passed away December 8, 2018 peacefully at home following a brief illness. She was born September 25, 1950 to the late Marvin Davis and Audry Odessa Johnson at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. She was a graduate of Jacksonville High School, class of 1969, and continued her studies at Henderson State University and UALR. She was a lifelong United Methodist and was a member of St. James United Methodist Church. At age 20, she began dating a flirty, persistent car salesman. While she attempted to be coy, she quickly fell in love with Bill. They dated for four years, and following a proposal on the Spring River, the couple wed on March 29, 1975 in Little Rock. Joy is survived by her husband of 43 years, William Dalton Lieblong, Jr., her daughter Lori Ann, her daughter Melissa Kathryn Moldenhauer (Tim), and her son Dr. Benjamin Jacob (DJ). She is also survived by the apple of her eye, her granddaughter Anna Claire Moldenhauer, and a fur-granddaughter, Lady. She is preceded in death by her parents and her Favorite Feline, Brinkley. Joy had an unforgettable personality; a unique blend of eclectic humor, extroversion, spunk, and vivacity. Joy knew no strangers, and she was an eager conversationalist. In fact, she would go to the grocery store for three bananas, and exit with four new friends. Her personality is evident in the numerous pictures from college theme parties, and her membership in the Beta Sigma Phi social sorority of Jackson, MS. She will be remembered for her never-ceasing humility and sincere kindness to all she met. Not only did humans know her for these qualities. She was an animal whisperer and a loving, devoted mother to numerous family pets. If the family pets could speak, they would echo the humans description of Joy as a remarkably perceptive individual. All Lieblong family pets acquired talkative behaviors, which undoubtedly came from the beloved household matron. Nearly all of Joys hobbies reflected her crafty, artistic nature. She was an avid glass collector and specialized in American brilliant-cut glass of the early 20th century, and was an active member of the Arkansas Glasshoppers Club. She held an encyclopedic knowledge of antique furniture. Among her many artistic talents, she was a skilled seamstress and designer of heirloom French handsewn childrenswear. She ran her own business, The Joy of it All, in which she sold her pieces. Her most prized creations were the Mississippi governors sons christening gown, numerous pieces for her own children (and now granddaughter), and numerous cross-stitch pieces that will continue to adorn her home. She briefly worked as a florist, and the family scarcely remembers a day in which fresh flowers were not present on the kitchen table. Joy loved music of all genres and played piano from an early age. Joys children describe her as a devoted mother who bragged on her children and granddaughter at every opportunity. Among her numerous nicknames, her children nicknamed her Super Mom, The Mother Ship, Momma honda, and most recently, Mimi. She was a selfless mother who always placed her childrens interests and happiness above her own. A very special addition to Joys life were her two "bonus sons" (in her own words), Tim and DJ, both of whom she loved as her very own. In their younger years, Joy and Bill maintained an active household by raising three hyper-involved children, which was a Joy and honor. She placed many of her hobbies and activities on hold to care for her children, and nurture and enrich their lives. In their retirement, they were fortunate to travel extensively to satisfy items on their bucket list. The family asks that you do the same with your loved ones and cherish each day together. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the physicians, nurses, and other providers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joys memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. A service celebrating the life of Joy, with a reception immediately following, will be Thursday December 13 at 10:00AM at St. James UMC, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212.