Dr. Martha Joyce “Joy” Hager age 77, wife of Paul C. Hager, died Thursday August 6, 2015 at the Hospice Compassionate Care Center in Richmond KY. Joy was born in Prestonsburg KY to the late Edward Eugene and Opal Spears May. Joy was retired Professor of Physical Education from Berea College where she taught for 49 years, during that time serving in a variety of positions including Chair of the Physical Education Department and both Women’s and Men’s Athletic Director. Joy was preceded in death by her parents Edward Eugene and Opal Spears May and an infant sister JoAnn May. She was a graduate of Prestonsburg High School, Eastern Kentucky University (B.S.), MacMurray College (M.S.), and the University of Kentucky (Ed.D). Joy provided leadership in the early organization of women’s sports in Kentucky, holding key offices in the state Women’s Intercollegiate Conference. She also served on the Executive Board of Citizens for Sports Equity in Kentucky for many years. Joy served as the president of Kentucky Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (KAHPERD) in 1996. In 1989 she received the KAHPERD Distinguished Service Award. She also received the Walter H. Mustaine Award from KAHPERD, the highest award given by that organization. Joy was a leading defender of gender equality, working for women’s full participation in a broad range of sports at all levels. She was recognized nationally for efforts to improve sports opportunities for women when she received the Pathfinders Award of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports, which honors a person from each state who has been a strong continuous advocate for the advancement of women’s athletics. She was a long time member of Berea United Methodist Church. She also served on the Board of the Kentucky United Methodist Foundation. Joy is survived by her husband of nearly 56 years Paul Hager of Berea, her children; Rev. Julie Hager Love and her husband Rev. George Love of Mt. Washington, KY, and Edward Lee Hager of Lexington, KY, and her grandchildren Cameron Paul Love and Eliza Kathryn Love. She was an avid golfer, who enjoyed both teaching and playing the game. Her years of playing the game included five holes-in-one and winning several local tournaments. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Tuesday August 11, 2015 at the Berea United Methodist Church with Rev. Phil Bradley officiating. Burial will follow in the Berea Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday August 10, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at the Berea United Methodist Church. There will also be visitation from 9:30 to 10:50 prior to the service. Pall bearers are Paul Rominger, Mark Ford, Sandy Williams, Joan Weston, Martha Beagle, Stephanie Woodie, Patrick Howard, and Mike Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Virgil Burnside and Mary Beth Bevins. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the Berea United Methodist Church, 101 Fee St. Berea, KY 40403 or Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center Building Fund 125 Aldersgate Rd. Ravenna KY 40472. Online condolences at www.lakesfuneralhome.com .