E. Joy Crooks Mitchell

E. Joy Crooks Mitchell (83) entered the arms of Jesus Aug 21. 2011. She leaves behind her son, Mike (Debbie), granddaughter Christie (Ryan) Black, grandsons Erik (Alana), Bradley, Karl (Casey), and Kirk, daughter-in-law, Stephanie, brother Harold (Joyce) Crooks, sisters-in-law, Mary Joyce (Vernon), and Kathleen (Howard),  numerous nieces and nephews, and scores of friends from church, golfing, bicycling and bridge. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Don, son, David, her parents, Harry and Flossie Crooks, brothers, Howard Flint and Vernon Crooks, and sister, Ruby (and brother-in-law J.F.) May.

Joy was born near May, Okla., but the family moved to the panhandle of Texas before she was three, near Spearman. After graduation, Joy attended West Texas State Teacher’s College (now West Texas A & M) in Canyon, Texas. She didn’t quite complete her college education because she married Donald Mitchell. They welcomed two sons, Mike and David, and lived in Amarillo, before living in La Junta from 1952-1962. Among other community activities, Joy was involved in the La Junta Women’s Golf Association, participating in, and even winning, tournaments.

Following a move back to Amarillo, the Mitchells soon settled in Albuquerque. After her retirement, Joy traveled, eventually making it to nearly 30 countries, besides going throughout the U.S. Many of those trips were bicycling tours. Services were held in Albuquerque on Aug. 24. Memorials may be sent to Paradise Hills UMC, 4700 Paradise Blvd NW, 87114, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch & Girls Town, PO Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174, or the charity of your choice.