Joy was born to James L. and Lillian A. Sain in Rice, Texas. She graduated from Bardwell High School in 1957.
Mom loved her family and made sacrifices to ensure they knew it. She was known for her elaborate birthday cakes when her kids were young and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and then the great-grandkids. She spent her final years at Carriage Inn in Lake Jackson where she made many dear friends.
She is survived by daughters – Sonja (Bill) Nelson and Donna (James) Reynolds, daughter-in-law-Penny Carter, grandchildren-Bryan (Tiffany) Reynolds, Michael Carter, Danielle Crutcher, Paul (Belen) Crutcher, and Terry Crutcher, her brother James C. Sain of Tulia, TX, and sister Sally Allen of Ennis, TX, her great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother – John Sain, sister – Josephine Kyser and her beloved son – Christopher.
A private service will be held on May 8, 2026, at Myrtle Cemetery in Ennis, TX.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to something near to her heart: the Carriage Inn Employees Christmas fund (checks to Carriage Inn, 130 Lake Rd, Lake Jackson, TX 77566).