Joyce Ann House died quietly and unexpectedly on August 5, 2020. She was 89 years old. She was born Joyce Ann Tompkins on February 2, 1931 in Grand Rapids, MI. She was the middle child of 7 children born to Clarence and Hazel Tompkins, and the longest living. Joyce grew up in Michigan, graduating from Rockford High School in 1949.
Shortly after high school, Joyce joined a magazine company, selling subscriptions across the United States. Spotting another team member walking across a hotel lobby, she called her Mom and said, "I just saw the man I'm going to marry." TWO SHORT MONTHS LATER she married that very man! David Henry Robinson became her husband on June 26, 1950. David tragically passed away in 1993, after almost 43 years of marriage. In 1995, Joyce married Jimmy Greg House, and moved to Las Cruces, NM. He passed away in 2016.
Joyce joined her husband David in a different type of sales, selling Family Record Plan, a set of portrait sittings to brand new mothers. After several years of sales, she followed David into law enforcement. Joyce became a Sergeant with Multnomah County. In 1976, she had the honor of being the FIRST WOMAN on River Patrol. Joyce spent 12 years with Multnomah County, working various assignments. From River Patrol, to transferring patients to Dammasch State Hospital, to keeping watch over prisoners having surgery at Adventist Medical Center, to spending 8 years as a Corrections Officer, first at the old Rocky Butte Jail, then the Justice Center in downtown Portland.
During this time, she also co-hosted a television show called "East County Reports," a weekly news and events show aimed at east Multnomah County. After leaving law enforcement, Joyce open "Honey Jar Yogurt" in the Parkrose area of Portland. She sold that business after 4 years, and retired from working.
Joyce was an exceptional cook, a gifted singer, an extremely talented artist, and an impressive writer. She loved music, art, birds, and shopping thrift stores. Her home and wardrobe benefited from these "finds." Joyce attended the Assembly of God church, until health forced her into assisted living.
Joyce is survived by her 2 children, Larry Robinson of Ocala, FL, and LaRae Snodgrass and husband Rodger of Gresham. She leaves behind 3 grandchildren, Monica Barham (Darrin) of Gresham, Clint Snodgrass (Eryn) of Troutdale, and Cole Snodgrass (Melinda) of Happy Valley, and 9 great-grandchildren, Dal, Dane, Corbin, Alton, Brielle, Hazel, Carver, Cooper, and Ruby.
Joyce will be laid to rest with her first husband, David Robinson, at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland. A private graveside service will be held.
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