Joyce Petty Obituary

February 15, 1948 - June 16, 2023

Joyce Marie Petty was born February 15, 1948 to Roy Charles Petty and Margaret Elizabeth Petty (Morefield) in Munroe, California. Joyce was the sister of Wendell (Chuck) Charles Petty. Joyce's father was in the military which gave the family the opportunity to live in many different places. From California, the family moved to Kentucky while her father was serving in Japan. From there they moved to Maryland and then Kennewick, Washington. Leaving Kennewick, they moved to Richland, Washington. The family's next move was to Anchorage, Alaska where the family lived until Joyce's father retired and in 1961, they moved to Aurora, Colorado. Joyce stayed in Colorado the rest of her life living in Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Bayfield and Grand Junction. Joyce graduated Central High School in Aurora and then graduated Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She obtained her teaching certificate and taught special needs children. From teaching children, she changed her career path to working with King Soopers in both the meat department and produce department. Her next career, which she stayed with until she retired, was with the Engineering Department of the Colorado Department of Transportation in Durango. After retiring, she moved to Grand Junction and became very involved in her local church. She also spent many years volunteering with AARP Tax-Aide.

Joyce was deeply devoted to the Lord. No matter where she lived, she had a church family that she loved and cared for as well as prayed for constantly. Her last church was First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction where she was the Elder of Prayer. Her church was her family whether she was part of a prayer group, leading a Bible study group, or heading Stephen Ministry. Joyce knew the Bible well but was always open to listening to others talk about the Bible. Joyce had many talents that she left unspoken. She was a markswoman, an accordion player, a collector and reader of thousands of books, a collector and avid listener of vinyl records, and the owner of an amazing number of tools (which she knew how to use).

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Chuck. She is survived by her cousin, Clint Denson and his wife Linda, her close friend of many years, Terry Barron, and all of her brothers and sisters in Christ. She is truly missed.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 11 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Junction. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Presbyterian Church of Grand Junction, the pipe organ fund.