Joan D. Stover, age 90 of Bradford, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Inspired Living – Hidden Lakes, Bradenton, Florida.  She was born February 21, 1936 to JD and Thelma (Myers) Babylon and a graduate of Bradford High School.

Joan was a diligent worker and started out at an early age selling blocks of ice, used for refrigeration.  She worked at Atlas Underwear Company, in Piqua and later retired from Hobart Corporation, in Troy.  In the late 80’s, Joan moved to Kissimmee, Florida to be closer to her daughter and new grandson.  She retired a second time from The Walt Disney Company, working in the Costuming Department.

Joan had many interest…She was an avid reader and enjoyed a good romance novel.  Crafting was another interest, she loved creating things with her hands whether it was crocheting a blanket, painting pots for her outdoor plants, floral arrangements, and sewing quilts.  Sewing was her main love, when her daughter was growing up, she made most of her clothes, Barbie doll clothes, curtains, pillows, and quilts.  A highlight of her sewing career was making costumes for the Ma Cheri Baton Corp.  Later in life she volunteered by sewing crib sized quilts that were distributed to hospitals and nursing facilities through Project Linus.

Joan loved her family and was always up for traveling somewhere.  A few highlights were Hawaii and Las Vegas, where she had beginner’s luck.

Preceded in death were her parents and two brothers, Gary and Tom Babylon.  Joan is survived by her daughter, Diane (Larry) Polhamus of Windermere, Florida and grandson, Adam DuBois of Winter Garden, Florida.  Nieces and Nephew, Tammy (Justin) Rogers, Greenville, Tom (Dawn) Babylon, Covington, Dr. Jennifer (Greg) Blackburn, Winter Haven, Florida and Mary Jo Babylon, Winter Haven, Florida.  Plus, extended family members.

The family would like to thank Inspired Living, Ocoee, Florida, and Inspired Living – Hidden Lakes, Bradenton, Florida (where she was affectionately known as Grandma) for the years of love and care shown to her.  In addition, thank you to Vitas Healthcare of Manatee County for providing medical and spiritual guidance.

Celebration of Life at a later date.  Condolences may be shared with the family at www.stockerfraley.com.