Joy Joy Williams

Joy M. Williams (Dortha Joy Mattingly Williams), passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016 in a nursing home in Texarkana, Arkansas. She was born in Houston, Texas in 1923 to Waunita Amy (Mimi) Stephenson Mattingly and Lambert Joseph Mattingly. Joy and Chester S. Williams, Ph.D, were married in 1959 for over 20 years, prior to their divorce.

Joy deeply loved her family and friends, as well as her religion and those she knew from Church of the Incarnation in Dallas and Cathedral Gardens Apts.

She was a graduate of North Texas University, and she was a teacher in Midwest City, Oklahoma, Wichita, Kansas, Mogadiscio, Somalia, Apia, Western Samoa, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Dallas and Texarkana, Texas. Joy loved to travel, including living in India for a couple of years. She later worked in a Dallas daycare facility until she was in her 70’s. She began a volunteer project at Church of the Incarnation called “Take You” to drive those needing a ride to church on Sundays. Joy was a member of the DAR, General Levi Casey Chapter.

After retirement, Joy enjoyed the Dallas Symphony, her garden, learning about flowers, and trying new recipes. She also resumed her favorite hobby playing canasta with dear friends. Joy was always eagerly awaiting visit from family and friends, and she traveled to visit them at every opportunity.

Joy was named appropriately, since she brought so much joy into the lives of others. She inspired many, particularly during her struggle with COPD the past three years. She set an example of faith and endurance, and she was dearly loved.

Surviving Joy are her stepchildren, Elizabeth Spring Williams, Jay Scott Williams, Marcia Ann Williams, and Cynthia Sizeler. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and one stepgreat-granddaughter.

Funeral Service will be held in Dallas at Church of the Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Ave. on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 1pm, followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be in Houston, Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home - Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 1:30 pm.

Memorials for Joy may be sent to the North Texas Food Bank, 4500 S. Cockrell Hill Road, Dallas, TX 75236, phone 214 330-1396 or ntfb.org