Joy Lester Mills

Joy Lester Mills

June 24, 1937 – July 28, 2024

Joy Lester Mills, 87, passed away on July 28, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was born on June 24, 1937, in Childress, Texas, to Sam Thomas and Jackie (Holton) Lester. She grew up in Skellytown, Texas, graduating from White Deer High School in 1956, and had many dear friends among her classmates that she remained close to through the years. In 1957, in Amarillo, she became a licensed Cosmetologist. On December 23, 1958, she married the love of her life, Richard Dale Mills. She was an active member of Stephenville Primitive Baptist Church. Joy worked as a property manager in Stephenville, making many friends among the tenants and businesses she worked with, where she was referred to as “Mrs. Joy.” Her favorite title was “Nonnie,” as she was called by her grandchildren, and all of their friends and extended family.

Joy is survived by her children, Laura Mayo and her husband, Beau of Stephenville, and Samuel Mills of Galveston, her grandchildren, Clint Mayo and wife Alexa, Clayton Mayo, Cody Mayo, and Spencer Mills, great-granddaughters, Caroline mayo and Carter Mayo, her sister, Nancy Riley and her husband, Don of Waco, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Joy is preceded in death by her husband, Richard, both of her parents, and her brothers, Thomas Lester and Homer Lester. A service will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 10:00 A.M., at Stephenville Funeral Home with a graveside service Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at Memory Gardens of Pampa in Pampa, Texas. A visitation will be on Thursday, August 1, 2024, from 6:00 P.M-8:00 P.M. at Stephenville Funeral Home in Stephenville, Texas.