Joyce York
Joyce June Crawford was born to Paul and Sleety Chaffin Crawford, in San Angelo, Texas. Having been well taught by her sister Bea, she started school early and skipped a grade, and valued education for herself and others.
She graduated from San Angelo High School in 1943, and put herself through San Angelo Junior College. She loved the jobs she held before her marriage to Leon York in Midland in 1951, and loved being a homemaker, wife, and mother.
They ranched in Las Vegas and Pie Town, New Mexico, lived in Midland, and later lived and ranched in Hamilton County, Texas.
Joyce was always active in her church and took seriously her ordination as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Her faith was integral to her life, and she believed the best witness was in the way one chose to live.
She enjoyed the Contemporary Study Club in Midland and her many friends, volunteered in schools Nancy attended, and through her life many youth and adults sought her counsel.
Joyce loved nature, knew trees and flowers and birds, sewed beautiful clothing and draperies, and stitched lovely needlework. She was a talented decorator, listened to classical music, quoted poetry often, and shared her mother’s sharp wit.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Bea Ward, Betty Kennemer, and Paula Ray Crawford, dear father-in-law Buck York, infant daughter Susan, and her husband Leon. She is survived by her sister Madelyn Moore of Christoval, daughter and son-in-law Nancy York and Tim McTaggart of San Angelo, nieces and nephews Jim Ward, Kitty Bailey, Lee Kennemer, Paul Kennemer, Rhonda Turk, Sherri Elkins, Mary Murphy, and their families, and her large extended family.
Especially dear to her heart were her friend since third grade, Doris Henderson, and her caregiver for the last five years, Sylvia Pinto.
We are grateful for the support received from Hospice of San Angelo and her team members there, including Shirley, Debbie, Molly, Tammy, and Karen, and others. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Hospice of San Angelo, or The Gathering UCC of San Angelo.
A memorial service was held at St. Mark Presbyterian Church Friday, Feb. 15, at 12:30 p.m., with the Reverends Craig Myers and Karen Schmeltekopf presiding. Arrangements are with Robert Massie Funeral Home.
