Joyce Maurine Hay

Joyce Maureen Lasater Hay passed away Friday, September 13, 2024, with loved ones by her side. Joyce was born November 22, 1925, to Willie Blanche Williams Lasater and Robert Layfayette (Fate) Lasater in Dallas, Texas.

Joyce spent her childhood in Dallas and enjoyed weekends and holidays at the Lasater family farm in Lawson. She attended Mount Auburn Elementary, J.L. Long, and Woodrow Wilson High School. During her school years, Joyce excelled musically playing the piano, violin, and viola and performed with the Dallas Junior Symphony. Her love of music and singing lasted throughout her life.

In the final years of World War II, Joyce began working for G-2, a government intelligence agency. During this time, Joyce met the love of her life, Gilbert Randolph Hay. Gil was completing his post-war service in the Army Air Force. They were married on January 18, 1947. Their life together focused on family, faith, and community. Joyce and Gil were active members at Bethel Lutheran Church for close to 70 years. They delighted in spending time with family and friends. Joyce joined the Goals for Dallas staff and served as secretary to the Executive Director for many years.

Joyce is survived by son, Gilbert Randolph Hay, Jr. (Randy) and wife, Laurie Hay; daughter, Jennifer Hay Russell (Jena) and husband, Dr. Thomas Russell. Beloved grandchildren are Meredith Russell and fiancée, Amanda Neiman; Lesley O’Leary and husband, George O’Leary; and Robert Hay. Great-grandsons adoring “Nina” are Jackson Francis, Andrew Francis, Michael O’Leary, and William O’Leary. Cousins are Marilyn Whatley and Suzanne Buhrer. Nieces are Bobby and Pittman McGehee, Vic and the late David Dollarhide, and Deb and Jeffrey Greene. Along with many loving family members, Joyce and Gil are survived by goddaughter, Gina Gulsvig Schmidt.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert H. Lasater and his wife, Sammy Jo Lasater; her husband of 72 years, Gilbert; as well as infant daughter, Anna Katrina, and infant son, Robert Malcolm.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be Saturday, December 21,2024 at Grove Hill Chapel officiated by Rev. Randy Haedge.