Joyce Marie Sawyer

Joyce, died at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Anaheim with her family around her. She had been fighting her cancers for 2 ½ years and finally could not do it anymore. She was born in Hayden, Colorado as a coal miner’s daughter to James William and Joyce Ray Shannon on February 9, 1947. She moved with her family to California at a young age, graduating from Buena Park High School in 1965, got her Cosmetology license and worked in that profession for some time. She was baptized at Buena Park Southern Baptist Church. She married David Sawyer in 1971, settled down and had two daughters, Virginia and Stephanie. After going to Orange Coast College, she worked for a few years at the Garden Grove School district as a teacher’s aide. She continued that work for both her daughters and grandchildren as a volunteer during their Elementary and Middle school years. During this time, she received the Parent of the Year award for the 1983-84 school year from Dr. CC Violette Elementary school. Her joys were her children/ grandchildren, cooking and sewing. Joy was a member of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution and was always interested in family history.

Family members included her sister Gayle S. Bice of Marshall, TX, nephew Andrew B. Nixon of Beckville, TX, niece Shelley E. Nixon of Marshall, TX. Great nephews James A. Nixon of Marshall, TX, and Tristan D. Nixon of Springfield Mo, and great niece Haley M Nixon of San Angelo, TX. Sister-in-law, Janis L. Sawyer whose family include her daughters Amy A. and husband Peter Mask of Fallbrook, CA, Melissa S. Bulthuis of Hemet, CA and Cari M. Bulthuis of Hemet, CA. Two great granddaughters, Violet S. Cayton and Daisy R. Bulthuis and great grandson David Kody Bulthuis, and great great grandson David Konner Bulthuis.