Joy Grissom
Joy Justine Gasaway Grissom of Edna, Texas passed away on December 11, 2020 at the age of 93. Joy was a resident for the past two and one-half years of Forum Parkway Health and Rehabilitation in Bedford, Texas.
Joy was born September 17, 1927 in McCamey, Texas to the late Luther and Juanita Gasaway. Joy got her name from the doctor that delivered her. Joy's mother had typhoid fever and the medical staff thought Joy would be born dead. But to the doctor’s surprise, Joy was delivered alive and healthy. The doctor told the family she brought great joy, so that was what Joy's parents named her.
Joy is preceded in death by her parents, Luke and Juanita Gasaway, late husband of sixty-four years of marriage, Bobbie Jack (‘BJ’) Grissom, and two siblings, Gary Gasaway and Annette (Gasaway) Kent. Surviving siblings are Darrell Gasaway and wife, Judy, of Ruidoso, New Mexico and Gale (Gasaway) Harris and husband, Danny, of Atlanta, GA.
Living in Houston, Texas as a young child was one of Joy's fondest memories. Among several achievements, Joy was elected 'Maypole Queen'. After receiving the lead role in plays and being elected cheerleader of Dee Dee High School, her family relocated to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Later her family lived in Andrews, Texas where Joy graduated as class President of Andrews High School's class of 1946. After high school graduation, Joy was employed as a Postmaster in Andrews, where she met and married her sweetheart, BJ of Alvord, Texas on September 8, 1946. Joy and BJ had three children, Kelly, Terry and Penny.
Joy was actively involved at First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas. She taught women's Sunday School. She was also a member of the Garden Club, where she enjoyed planting gardens at her own home. Gardenias were Joy’s favorite flower along with magnolias. Joy also served as secretary to a local CPA, bookkeeper to a dance studio and was a secretary-bookkeeper of Grissom Field Service and Supply from 1966-1976.
Selling Grissom Field Service made it possible for Joy and BJ to relocate to Edna, owning, developing and operating Southern Oaks RV Park. While hosting many snowbirds through the sixteen years Joy lived on Southern Oaks, she taught many of the women campers the lost art of huckery. This is a style of weaving with needle and thread to make the most beautiful yarn blankets of detailed geometric designs. Joy was a seamstress at heart, raised by a mother who possessed many of the same talents who instilled the sewing skills into Joy. Joy created coats for her sons, school spirit vests, dresses and dance costumes for her daughter, a wedding dress for her daughter-in-law and bridesmaid dresses.
BJ and Joy (aka 'Joy Baby') were residents of South Brooke Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Edna for a number of years. The family wishes to express a special thank you to the employees of South Brooke Manor and Forum Parkway for their labor of love for both Joy and BJ during their latter years of life. The family wishes to also express their deepest gratitude to a special loving caregiver and long-time friend, the late Evelyn Tomanek of Edna.
Joy is survived by a son and wife, Kelly and Susi Grissom of Edna; son Terry and Boogie Grissom of Eastland, Texas; daughter and husband Penny and John Mark Bonnot of Coppell, Texas; granddaughter and husband Angela and Jon Malek of Ganado, Texas; granddaughter Jennifer Grissom of Edna; grandson and wife Matthew and Heather Grissom of Leander, Texas; grandson Courtney Grissom of Eastland, Texas; grandson and wife Derric and Meagan Bonnot of Coppell; grandson Kevin and wife Nashaela Bonnot of Celina, Texas; and sixteen great grandchildren: Brendan Price of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Carson Price of Austin, Texas; William and Michael Malek of Ganado; Mark, Matthew and Emily Grissom of Leander; Levi, Ollie, Maeley and Evie Bonnot of Coppell; River and Eden Bonnot of Celina; Jordan Grissom of The Woodlands, Texas; and Tyson and Keagan Grissom of Eastland.
Funeral arrangements are with Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna. A private graveside service for the family was held December 15. Burial followed at Memory Gardens of Edna alongside Joy’s late husband, BJ.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
Arrangements under the direction of Oaklawn Funeral Home, Edna.