Page 43 - Amarrilo Senior Link Magazine Spring 2019- Online Magazine
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She was admitted to a TB Office Manager for a supervisor Surgery the next morning
sanitarium in Tahlequah, OK. position in Borger Southwestern revealed a burst appendix that
Daddy needed help, so he asked Bell which later included the was somehow contained in sacks.
his sister and her three daughters Pampa Business Office as well. Otherwise she would have died.
to move in with the family for a Never a quitter, Joy gave thirty- She remembers beginning to quote
season. Joy was only seven when three years, seven months and the 23rd Psalm just prior to the
she lost her mother. Mama died, six days of joyful service before operation. The assisting physician
but Joy’s delight with life did not. retiring July 7, 1981. after the surgery was talking to
Joy’s stepdaughter, Mary Kathryn,
Daddy remarried and took a Retired but not idle, Joy became “She didn’t have cancer, but she
different job which required a dedicated, hardworking may die yet.” Her stepdaughter
frequent moves. When Joy was in volunteer, as an interviewer answered, “You don’t know her.
the seventh grade, she attended with High Plains Helping Hands She will live.” And she did.
five different schools. Life wasn’t for about two and a half years.
easy, but nothing uprooted her She resigned after Jack lost his For Joy, life is still the best deal
deep-seated joy. They were in battle with depression. His death in town. She loves to read, bake,
Ardmore when the call came reminded Joy to focus on what crochet, surf the internet. She
for metals for the World War II she had left rather than what she is active in church, a long time
effort. The children gathered iron had lost. But life happens ready or Sunday School teacher and a great
and other metals in addition to not, and it often comes with full supporter of St. Andrew UMC and
newspapers and magazines. She force and little or no mercy. She encourager to all. Before hip and
recalls the rationing of sugar, resumed volunteer work in 1997 knee surgeries, Joy thoroughly
flour, shoes, etc. Many donated as food dispenser in the kitchen enjoyed golf, bowling, and pool.
their waist-length long hair and and member of the board. She may be down, but she is
sported pixie-style cuts. Most definitely not out. Joy has an
people were poor, but nothing It was a Thursday in 1998 when uncompromising determination.
could darken Joy’s hopeful Joy became ill. Just a stomach She begins each day with this
approach to life. virus, she supposed. She was prayer: “Lord, let me cause no
to host Home Parents of the harm nor come to no harm.” He’s
After high school graduation in Youngblood Unit of the Methodist answered that prayer over and
1947, Joy went to work at F.W. Home for Children out of Waco. over.
Woolworth, then on to SWBT They would be with her for a
Company, now known as AT&T. week. When they arrived, Joy What’s in a name? Her name is
Her transfer to Pampa in 1950 had already been in bed for a Joy, and she has caught hold of
brought her closer to family, and week with fever. She turned the truth of living to the fullest.
she became a telephone operator. the house over to them and kept “The joy of the Lord is your
(“Number please, thank you.”) her distance. Another week strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) She
She became a supervisor and slipped by before she consulted is strong; she is tough, but she is
moved up to Chief Operator. Joy a physician. He rushed her also gentle. Nothing brightens a
was even named Pampa Boss of off to Amarillo for tests. She gray day like a little time with Joy
the Year. overheard the doctor making the Elmore, sprinkled with love and
appointment, “I have a tough old laughter. And everyone can use a
Joy married Jack Elmore in 1965 broad here…” As it turned out, little internal jogging.
and settled down in Phillips, TX. he did.
She was recruited by the Business
Amarillo Senior Link 43
