Joyce Anne Young

Joyce Anne Young (Montgomery) of Odessa, Texas passed away peacefully at home on December 29th, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on September 27, 1936, in Cumberland Kentucky to James and Bonnie Montgomery. Doc Fugate delivered Joyce for five dollars at home.
Joyce had a happy childhood growing up in the country playing with her cousins Winfred and Dugan.  While still a child, she prepared for her future career by playing school with her cats.  Joyce attended Blair School and then later Cumberland High School in Cumberland Kentucky.  After high school graduation in 1954, Joyce attended Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky for two years.  
During her time at Union College, Joyce met her future husband, Jim Freeman. They married and after the birth of two of their children, she began her career as a teacher. She taught 5th grade at Cumberland Elementary School, after which Joyce accompanied her husband Jim to different parts of the country to help him to pursue his career and raise the family.  They had three more children and moved to Lexington KY, Knoxville TN, Boston MA, Atlanta GA and Orlando FL. In Orlando, Jim and Joyce parted ways and she remarried Jim Reynolds, having one more child.  They moved to Tennessee where they separated, and Joyce decided to go back to college and finish her education. After divorcing Jim, she moved with the kids to Seguin, TX where she graduated from Texas Lutheran College with a bachelor’s degree in education.  Upon graduation, Joyce was hired by Hazel Maggard to teach elementary remedial reading in Cumberland KY. After teaching for four years, she met Alfred Young who she married and both moved to West Texas where she taught at different schools including Fabens, Imperial, Balmorhea and Pyote. While teaching at the West Texas State School, her husband passed away. 
After many years as a dedicated educator, Joyce retired from the West Texas State School in 2002. Joyce enjoyed retirement for twenty-one years doing many of the things she had always dreamed of. She shared her time happily with her family in Odessa Texas, and Huntland Tennessee where she enjoyed staying during the holidays and summertime.  Joyce enjoyed cooking, reading, theorizing solutions for unsolved cold cases, indulging in afternoon naps, dog sitting, keeping up with the family events and watching TV past midnight.  Joyce was the proud mother of six children, and they were her greatest love. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with them. All of her children were proud to call her Mom.
Joyce had an honest, kind, and gentle spirit, but also determined in her goals and was always willing to help those in need with a smile. She maintained a positive attitude even in the most difficult times. She was a good daughter, sister, wife, neighbor, an exemplary mother, best friend, and coworker, maintaining a great sense of humor until the very end. 
Joyce is predeceased by her husband, Alfred Young, her father, James Montgomery, mother Bonnie Gilliam, brothers Doren, Sherline, and Mike Montgomery.
Joyce is survived by her children, Kathy (Mike), Ginger (John), Tammy (Craig), Jimmy, Missy (Fernando), Brandon (Jill) and grandchildren, Bonnie, Carrie, Mary, Jack, Will, Kate, Casey, Cruse, Christopher, Sydney, Taylor, and Junior.  
Joyce will be greatly missed by all.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Stephanie Kubacak for the many years of compassionate care provided.  Also, the family is extremely grateful to Interim Hospice for all their support and kindness, Jessica, Jocelyn, Taylor, Bianca, Kim and Dr. Scotty Ortega. 
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5