August 27, 1936 – January 17, 2022
Virgilene Joyce Petris went to Heaven on January 17, 2022. Our Mom was born on August 27, 1936 in Herington, Kansas to Joseph and Virgilene Denton. Her parents and four siblings moved to Bakersfield when she was nine years old. She was in the East Bakersfield High School class of 1954, and on April 2, 1955 she married John Petris and they had six children together.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband John; her sons, Johnnie, Randy, Michael and Terry; her great-granddaughter Kaylee; her parents, Joseph and Virgilene Denton; her brothers, Dick, Ronny and Jimmy Denton, and her sister, Barbara Gazaway.
Joyce is survived by her daughters, Cynthia Petris and Penny Petris-Hall; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Joyce loved her family and looked forward to vacations. She enjoyed traveling to new destinations as well as revisiting places she had enjoyed in the past. She especially loved going on cruises (all 52 of them). Joyce was a regular at the Class of 1954 EBHS monthly lunch group. Our Mom loved animals. We are sure her dogs (Buffy, Romeo and Juliet) were waiting for her at the pearly gates.
Joyce was a wonderful woman, with a great sense of humor and so much love in her heart. She loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally. She will be greatly missed. Our Mom was admired and loved by all who knew her.
Services will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield.
A special thank you to Rowena and Sheila for the exceptional care they gave our Mom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her memory to any dog rescue of your choice.
