Joyce Elizabeth Butler Payne

Joyce Elizabeth (Butler) Payne lived her life as a creator. Through painting, sewing, singing, piano-playing, styling, and raising her six beautiful children she created masterpieces. And when she encountered a new task, she was eager to learn and master the art. She would get a massage then learn how to do it herself; when visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center, she learned how to hula dance. But she was not content to bless just her own life: she used what she had learned to serve others, and often sacrificed her own desires for theirs. She taught groups of young women hula dance; she taught family members how to massage and gave them more than her fair share. While serving in several church leadership presidencies, including with the LDS young women and Relief Society, she taught monthly religious lessons. And although she had much anxiety around public speaking, the lessons usually ended with wet eyes and full hearts.

As the third of eight children, Joyce was known as the mothering sibling. She stood in as the surrogate mother to her younger siblings and often helped them with things they needed. Throughout her childhood years and adolescence, Joyce traveled the world with her Air Force Lieutenant Father, Lt. Col. Heber M. Butler, where she went from Wichita Falls, Texas to North Carolina, California, Japan, New Mexico, and Utah. She met her husband, Gary, while studying at Brigham Young University. She bore six children in 13 years and raised them through several moves and career changes. Meanwhile, she volunteered with newborns in the hospital and laundry in the San Antonio LDS temple.

She was witty and clever, often engaging in the most memorable dares in order to teach a lesson. She once challenged her athletic son to wrestle, which ended with him begging for mercy. She taught her daughters about appropriate clothing without saying a word, but leaving a lasting impression.

She was beautiful and stylish and kept rooms full of new clothing, designer jewelry, and the latest skin and beauty products. But of paramount importance were the people that she loved. She expressed unbridled generosity to everyone she met, often anonymously and without being asked. As she aged, her experience with increasing health problems only made her more compassionate toward others.

She especially loved taking care of small animals, small children, and everyone's laundry. As a frequent traveler, she logged hundreds of thousands of miles from Alaska to Hawaii, from Puerta Vallarta to Jamaica, but never far from a washer and dryer. We love and miss our mother, sister, and friend, not just for what she did but for who she was and the legacy she left imprinted in our hearts. Her memory will live on in the way that we live our lives.

SERVICE

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

11:00 A.M.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS

31355 STAHL LANE

BULVERDE, TEXAS