Joy Anela Gartrell

Our gift from GOD, Joy ‘Ānela Gartrell, was born on April 16, 1993 at 7:20 pm, in Llano, Texas. She was passed from her birth parents, Margaret and Bo, to us, Rodger and Rita Gartrell, on April 17th. From that day forward until October 5, 2023, when at the age of 30 she suddenly passed away, Joy was loved by family, friends, and co-workers.

As an infant, Joy gained an appreciation and love of books because mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, and others read to her. She also had a love of music because of cassette tapes of children’s songs and lullabies, mommy and daddy singing to her or with her, as well as children’s VHS tapes or tv shows, like Barney! Her first film, Disney’s Snow White, was a favorite, on repeat, in those early years (fast forwarding through the witch part), but it began a love for the music and film industry, too.

Joy’s education began at birth and she continued to be homeschooled until she was nine years old. During these years, she took dance (ballet and tap) for two years. She was in gymnastics, learned to swim, and started having piano lessons at the age of seven. She made many lasting childhood friends during those years as well as when she started public school. She attended Florence Hill Elementary for her fourth and fifth grades, receiving character awards and the Principal’s award, plus being on the A honor roll.

She began sixth grade at Truman Middle School, where she was involved in choir, but in seventh grade she joined the middle school band, being part of the percussion section due to her knowledge of music via the piano. Joy was in the Junior and National Honor Society and in Advanced Placement courses, from sixth thru twelfth grade, graduating from South Grand Prairie High School in 2011 with honors, and a vital part of the percussion/pit section of the Mighty Warrior Band. She was part of the Jazz band and in her senior year played the snare drum, was part of choir and Show choir. All during her public school days, Joy was involved in contests via the Mighty Warrior Band or through her four different piano teachers, winning countless certificate awards, blue ribbons, medals, and appreciation for all genres of music. Joy was an excellent sight reader and received many comments through the years for her musical expertise.

As a result of this appreciation, she chose to attend Belmont University, in Nashville, Tennessee. Her plan was to get a Business degree and work in the music industry in some capacity. She began to change her mind but was still successful in earning her degree in 2015, with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She also pledged with Theta her junior year, being an active member until she graduated. Upon returning to Texas she worked in the business field at FYI Television when she began to seek a career change.

This mindset led her to go back to college to earn her nursing degree. She graduated May of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, cum laude and also part of Sigma Theta Tau, an honor society of Nursing. Being required to take the NCLEX, she passed and earned her RN license.

At the end of July, 2023, Joy began her residency with Parkland Hospital of Dallas, Texas. She was to be there three years, believing once she had finished, she could practically write her ticket to any NICU of this country or another. She told countless people in some form or fashion that she was finally where she wanted to be, in a job she loved. And to everyone who knew her, this made perfect sense because she loved caring for others, no matter race, creed, or color. Joy also loved to travel and learning different languages. She wasn’t fluent in any single one but she made a point of trying to converse with people in their native language as much as possible. She really had an ear for it, too!

Joy is survived by her parents, Rodger and Rita, her birth parents, Marge and Bo, and their perspective families. Her grandmomma Gnell, grandparents, Gerald and Sarah, and also Granny Fanny. She has countless aunts and uncles, first, second, and third cousins, nieces and nephews, sisters, brothers, and friends as close as any of the aforementioned relatives. Last but not least, her ‘baby’ Patches. She was truly a JOY and will be missed by all who knew her!

A celebration of life for Joy-Joy will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Grand Prairie Funeral Home, 733 Dalworth Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family would greatly appreciate donations to a scholarship fund in Joy's name at https://gofund.me/687246f4

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandprairiefh.com for the Gartrell family.