Joyce Ann Billington Lasley – January 4, 2015

Joyce Ann Billington Lasley, 90, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 4, 2015.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the First Christian Church of Stratford with the Rev. Gary Smith officiating. Services will be under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Dumas.

Joyce Ann was born on September 23, 1924 in Texhoma, Texas to Ida Lowe Billington and Joe D. Billington. She started school in Stratford, with Mary Allen as her first grade teacher, and graduated from Stratford High School in 1941. She married Orland Lasley on April 24, 1942 in Clovis, New Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orland; two grandsons, Tucker Garoutte and Bradford McIver; and two sons-in-law, Gary Garoutte and Glen McIver.

Joyce Ann was a member of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Stratford. She was a homemaker, a China painter and instructor, a private kindergarten teacher (before it became a part of the school system), and always a mom – her family was her pride and joy.

In 1968, she returned to college at Goodwell’s Panhandle State University, graduating with a BA degree in May of 1971. She owned and operated a dress shop, was a substitute teacher in all three of the Stratford public schools, and in 1988 began working for the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, a job that she thoroughly enjoyed. She retired from the Chamber in February 1997, and in October of 1997, after becoming extremely bored, began working at Duckwall’s Variety Store as a part-time employee.

In Joyce Ann’s words, “No tears – Heaven and dad are waiting. I am feeling no pain, no sorrow, just sheer joy in that perfect place. Just remember what your legacy is: Dad said, “everything is going to be alright,” and mom said, “always remember who you are.”

Survivors include three daughters, Orlanda Garoutte of Stratford, Jacque McIver of Albany, TX and Jode Anderton of Stratford; five grandchildren, Gara Harbour, Jolina Kline, Derrek Wells, and Slate and Lashala Anderton; four great-grandsons, Aaron and Dallas Harbour and Jacob and Jackson Kline; and a great-great-grandson, Ryatt Tucker Harbour, who was born November 2, 2014.

0 Replies to “Joyce Ann Billington Lasley – January 4, 2015”

  1. Duane and I are so sorry about Joyce Ann. But know she is rejoicing in Heaven getting to see family and friends again. She is loving that!
    Duane and Marty

  2. Joyce Ann was one of a kind. She definitely was a Cheerleader for Stratford, and she showed it every day. She had energy that wouldn’t quit!!! J.A. will be missed by her family and by the Stratford community. Heaven has received a “go -getter”!!!!

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