Joan Hovis Pusser

Joan Hovis Pusser, 93, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025 at Lowcountry Community Hospice House in Summerville, SC after a 4 year  struggle with dementia. She was a devoted mother, patient wife, grandmother,  great grandmother, sister and friend.

Born on November 8, 1931 in Rock Hill, SC to Maude Elizabeth Nunnery Hovis and Luther  F.  Hovis.  She grew up in Lancaster, SC and graduated from Winthrop College in 1954. She met her husband Rance  E Pusser while teaching Business Education  at Columbia High School.  They were married  in 1957 and over the next 54 years  lived in 6 different states (SC, NC, VA, OH, LA, GA) charming the “northerners” with her southern accent before settling in Savannah, GA for 32 years. Joan, who had a sweater for every holiday,  was a joiner, always  active where  they lived and had many interests: newcomers and garden clubs (President of Garden Club of Savannah), a  garden show judge, a  collector of American antiques (could never pass by a flea market), a bridge player, a baker (her red velvet cake has been a family tradition for 67 years), and brooch maker (Joan of art).  Joan and Rance were active in their churches   including 18 years at Mountview Baptist in Upper Arlington, OH and  32 years at First Baptist Church of Savannah. 

Joan was the proud and loving mother of Elizabeth Pusser Ryan (Philip Keebler Ryan).  She loved her grandchildren Stuart Ryan; Charlotte Ryan and Perry Ryan; and great- grandchildren Leona and Glen Ryan, Emilia Pẽna and Arthur Burbank.  She is survived by her devoted sisters Betty Hodges of Lancaster, SC and Mary Hovis of Charleston, SC. She was preceded in death by her  husband, Rance  and her brother Mike Hovis.  

Interment will be private and held at another time. Memorials may be made  in her memory to The Alzheimer’s Association.