Love, Legacy, and Lifelong Devotion: Honoring Professor Donald and Robbie Joy

Published: June 15, 2025

Author: Liz Dowell

Professor Joy and Robbie Joy dedication.

On March 2, 1947—two years after they met as college students—Donald Joy kissed Robbie Bowles for the first time on the back steps of Elms Dorm. She was 17 then, and the moment became a defining memory in their lifelong love story.

It was the start of a lifetime of shared purpose, deep faith, and steadfast love that would span nearly 70 years and leave a lasting impact on generations of Greenville University students.

Greenville University honored Professor Donald Joy and Robbie Joy with a special dedication at the campus coffee shop, 1892 Supply—a space once known as "the snack bar," where the Joys, then newlyweds and students, first built a life of service together.

A plaque and photos were installed inside the shop to commemorate their impact. The display celebrated not only their student-era contributions running the original snack bar, but also Professor Joy’s service on the Board of Trustees, their faithful giving over the years, and their lifelong commitment to education, community, and the church.

The dedication served as a tribute to their legacy—one that extended far beyond campus, through decades of ministry and mentorship at Greenville, Asbury Theological Seminary, and beyond.

FROM COURTSHIP TO CALLING

Robbie, a Texas native who had started college in 1945 at just 15, boldly asked Professor Joy to a Sadie Hawkins dance. A year later, Professor Joy—then class president—asked her to the All-School Reception. The two never stopped dating after that.

They married in 1948 and soon began classes at Greenville College (now University). As a married couple, they took over the struggling college snack bar located in a repurposed military barracks.

Their entrepreneurial instincts kicked in, and they adjusted their hours to attract the post-curfew crowd of hungry students and struck a revenue-sharing deal with the college. The income covered everything from tuition to rent and groceries.

It wasn’t just a clever business move; it was their first shared mission—to build something that served others and sustained their dreams.

A LIFE OF SERVICE

Professor Joy became a pastor, author of 17 books, professor, and national advisor on family ministry. He earned his doctorate from Indiana University and became a longtime professor at Asbury Theological Seminary.

He also worked closely with James Dobson's Focus on the Family, spoke at the Pentagon, and served at the request of two U.S. Presidents. He was known as a mentor, a theologian, and a man with wisdom and humility.

Robbie, meanwhile, built a rich legacy as an elementary school teacher and sports enthusiast. A three-sport athlete at Central College, she brought her love of education and athletic spirit to every classroom she entered.

She also earned multiple master’s degrees and became the heart of her family. Together, the Joys raised two children and became grandparents to six grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

“They were very giving people,” said their son, Mike Joy. “They always tithed. It wasn’t just about the church but about giving back to the places that shaped them. Greenville was one of those places."

Mike Joy and his wife, Kathy Joy.

A LASTING IMPACT

Professor Joy served on the GU Board of Trustees, helping guide the University through wisdom and faith. In later years, he and Robbie continued to give to GU regularly and ultimately included the University in their estate plan.

Their gift is not just financial; it’s a declaration of gratitude and belief in the transformative power of Christian education.

"They were people who understood the importance of roots," Mike shared. "They believed in honoring where you came from and using your story to impact those who come next."

A MESSAGE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

When asked what his parents would say to today’s GU students, Mike didn’t hesitate: “They’d tell them to trust the Lord with their path. Life rarely turns out exactly how you planned, but God always opens the right doors. Find what you love, serve people with it, and you won’t work a day."

Their story—one of devotion to faith, education, and each other—continues to inspire. Through their generous legacy, Professor Joy and Robbie's love lives on, lighting the way for future students to build their own stories.

President Suzanne Davis, Mike Joy, and his wife, Kathy Joy.