Joy Dee Davis Moore

Joy Dee Davis Moore, 84, of Midland, Texas, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021, of natural causes. A visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home, 3800 N. Big Spring St., Midland, Texas. Internment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 11:00 AM.

Joy was born on November 24, 1936, at home on the family farm near Leonard, in Fannin County, Texas, to Oren Lee and Claudia Mae Collins Davis.  Joy met Fred Moore in Andrews, Texas, and were married there September 16, 1955.  Fred and Joy spent the next 62 years working and raising their family.

Joy is survived by sons Freddy Moore and wife Penny of San Angelo, Texas, and Marvin Moore and wife Cindy of Midland, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren Sarah Brannon and husband Barrett of Midland, Texas, Seth Moore and wife Alyssa of Kingwood, Texas, Davis Moore of Lubbock, Texas, and Luke Moore of Oakland, California.  Also surviving Joy are her beloved five great-grandchildren William Greyson and Clara Marie Moore of Kingwood, Texas, and Hattie-Claire Joy, Elizabeth Hays and Barrett Woodson Brannon of Midland, Texas.

Mother was preceded in death by Fred in 2017, and her five biological siblings (Herman Reed Davis, Royce Reese Davis, Jerry Davis, Annie Lou Butler, and Patsy Ruth Rakestraw); and her eight half-brothers and sisters (Leon Neal Davis, Woodrow Wilson Davis, Harvey Louis Davis, Jack Dempsey Davis, Oren Lee Davis, Jr., Charlene Bright, Margaret Valerie Bright and Madie Bright).  She is also survived by many nephews, nieces and a very special sister-in-law Dorothy Davis.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards the management and caring staff at Manor Park.  Also, Mother had a very special affinity for Sylvia Torres, a friend and caregiver.

It was apparent that her mind was not working the way it had just a couple of years before, but to look at Mom we thought she would be with us for some years to come.  So, when “that” early-morning call came from Manor Park, we were caught completely by surprise.  All we can guess is that Jesus needed her more than we did, and He had waited long enough for his good and faithful servant.  Raised in a time when children were viewed more as field hands than cherished gifts from God, Mom was deprived of any real formal education.  Although she really could not read her Bible, through church and Sunday School, Mom knew the Bible and she lived it.  Lack of formal education is no indication of intelligence and Mom was wise in so many ways.  We think that there were times Mom regretted her lack of a formal education, she responded by carrying herself with so much pride and dignity. What she perceived as a shortcoming; we believe was probably Mom’s greatest strength.  Mom’s childhood taught her that hard work was just a part of life, we think that’s what one learns when your youth is filled with hoeing and picking cotton and bailing hay. When Mom’s truck-driver husband needed help at his job with Western Oil Transportation Corp. in Big Lake, Mom was there to gauge tanks, collect run tickets at the lease and dispatch trucks.  Besides raising two rambunctious boys, in her spare time she managed the trailer park where we lived. Later in life Mother cleaned houses to help pay for our college costs. She persevered through much adversity and served as a great example to us and everyone that had the privilege to know her.  Oh, to be as good a child as she was a parent.  A life well-lived and a true example of how to make the best of your situation no matter how hard it may seem.  To borrow a phrase from a great Texas movie that we believe describes Mom perfectly – “Cheerful in all weathers.”  She set a wonderful example and now our charge is to be faithful to what she taught us and maintain her legacy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alamo Heights Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland, Texas.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.