Joy Jarrell Slack

Joy (Jarrell) Slack, age 87, of Coleman, and former Odessa resident, died Saturday, September 30, 2017, in Coleman. Memorial Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017, at the Burkett Cemetery Pavilion with Rev. Wayne Lewis, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Coleman, officiating, and will be assisted by Dr. Carlos Warren, Joy’s nephew.

Joy Elizabeth Jarrell was born on June 14, 1930 in Coleman County, Texas, a daughter of Arvel Archie Jarrel, Sr. and Louise Pearce Jarrell. She grew up in Coleman County and attended school at Centennial, graduating in 1947. Joy attended Hardin-Simmons College (now University) in Abilene for one year, before Bill Slack convinced her to marry him. On January 22, 1949, they married in Coleman, on a very windy, wet and muddy day. Following their marriage, they lived in Illinois and Tennessee while Bill was serving in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, they lived in Austin, where he completed his degree at the University of Texas. They then moved to Odessa where they lived until 1994. While living in Odessa, she was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women for many years, including serving as President of that group. In 1994, she and Bill moved to Coleman where she became a member of First United Methodist Church, was a member of United Methodist Women and helped with funeral meals.

She lived up to her name as she was truly a Joy to her family and friends. She was a friendly person who never met a stranger and was a devoted wife and loving mother. She loved her husband and daughter, Cindy, with all her heart and never wanted to be a burden to her daughter. She also loved many dogs throughout her life, including her last dog, Lucky, who died a few months ago. She was waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for her. Joy also enjoyed shopping and was a beautiful and stylishly dressed lady.

Survivors include her daughter, Cindy S. Slack of Odessa; nieces and nephews, Michael Webb of Atlanta, Georgia, Linda Nash and husband Hollis of Cape Coral, Florida, Peggy Warren and husband Carlos of Lithia, Florida, and Bill Jarrell of Texas; a close cousin, Knoxine Clack of Odessa; two long-time good friends, Marie Newell of Midland and Carole Smith of Odessa; her long-time physician, Dr. John Doran of Odessa.

In addition to her husband, Joy was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ella Webb, and her brother, Archie Arvel Jarrell, Jr.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25, 26)

Cindy would like to extend a thank you to some special friends, Peggy Burdick, Doris McCulloch, Billie Williams, and her physician, Dr. Darron Atwood, who took such good care of Joy, as well as others who were so faithful to visit Joy in the nursing home.Please offer condolences to the family at www.livingmemorials.com.