Joy Jeneva Magsig Bothe Perry was born in a small farmhouse built by her father in Elmore, Ohio, June 26, 1925, to John and Evea (Eckel) Magsig. Joy was the youngest and had four older brothers. Her parents, Evea and John, were strong, simple, faithful German Methodists. She left the farm in Elmore after high school graduation, to attend nursing school in Toledo. She pursued a career that suited h…