Joy Wristers

Phyllis Joy Wristers was born on June 7, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the youngest child of Henry and Mary Korver and had an older brother, Ken Korver. In 1949, Joy’s father accepted a position as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction, Colorado. Joy spent her junior and senior high school years in Grand Junction, where she was active in both school and the community—excelling academically and enjoying the mountains and the many outdoor activities the area offered. Throughout her life, Joy maintained a special connection to Colorado, particularly the Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs areas.

After graduating from high school, Joy attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, a Dutch-founded institution. She thrived there, excelling in her studies and earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 1959. During her time at Hope College, she was also honored as Homecoming Queen in 1959. In 1960 Joy married Jan Wristers and they moved to Athens, Ohio where Jan and Joy continued their graduate studies at Ohio University. After graduation in 1964, the couple moved to Baytown, Texas.

Joy and Jan had four children: Dirk in 1964, Kimberly in 1965, Katrina in 1968, and Kishna in 1971. As a family, they enjoyed frequent camping trips to Galveston and Padre Island, and extended Summer/Fall camping trips to the Glenwood Springs area in Colorado. Joy spent her days raising four children: coaching swim team for the kids, working with each child on homework, and was quite a seamstress in those days sewing many of the kids’ clothes. While in Baytown, Joy volunteered at the Baytown Little Theatre where she performed as an actress, in many plays.

In 1979, Joy’s husband Jan unexpectedly passed away. Around this time, Joy returned to work as a teacher. She loved working with children and finding creative ways to make learning enjoyable. Her students loved “Math Friday,” when they raced to the chalkboard—erasers balanced on their heads—to solve problems. Joy later earned a second master’s degree in School Administration and went on to serve as a principal for many years. Her administrative career included Travis and G.W. Carver Elementary Schools in Baytown; Mountain Park Elementary in New Jersey; and Cedar Creek Elementary in the Eanes Independent School District.

In 1988, Joy married Tom Ashcraft. Tom’s children Diana, Thomas, and Steven made for an expanded family which Joy and Tom cherished deeply for the rest of their lives. Their home was always filled with love and laughter. They initially lived in Baytown until 1990 when they moved to Scotch Plains, New Jersey for Tom’s work on a special project for Exxon. After Tom retired from Exxon, they settled in Volente, Texas, on Lake Travis. At their home on the lake, they shared wonderful memories with family throughout the year and hosted annual Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday gatherings.

Joy and Tom treasured their time with family and friends, gathering often with neighbors, sharing wine, and exploring the world together. Joy lived a life that was true to her name, filled with joy, adventure, love, and laughter. She will be greatly missed.

Joy is survived by her children and their spouses, Dirk and Lori Wristers of Breckenridge, CO, Scott and Diana Armstrong of Millican, TX, Thomas and Donna Ashcraft of Cedar Park, TX, Scott and Katrina Bradley of Scottsdale, AZ, Ty and Kishna Weaver of Bee Cave, TX, and Steve and Angela Ashcraft of Breckenridge, CO; 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service honoring Joy is scheduled on April 4th, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the Ashcraft/Wristers house in Volente Texas. Request is to wear spring colors in honor of Joy.