Kathleen Lemmons Joy

Kathleen Lemmons Joy 79 of Abilene, passed away at her home on Saturday July 28, 2018. A Celebration of her life will be held Tuesday July 31, 2018 at 5:30 pm in the Hillcrest Church of Christ Auditorium. A visitation will be held Monday evening from 5-6:30 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St.

Kathleen was born February 3, 1939 in Artesia, NM to D.C. Lemmons and Lola Estelle Page Lemmons. She was raised in Brownwood with her three brothers and a sister. She graduated from Brownwood High School in 1957 and from Abilene Christian College in 1961 with a degree in home economics. On August 29, 1958 she married the love of her life Robert E. Joy in Brownwood, Texas. They were blessed with two beautiful children Paul and Karen.

For nearly 60 years Kathleen has lived in Abilene where she was a long-time teacher in the AISD. She began her teaching career at Trent High School and then taught at Franklin Jr High, Mann Jr. High and Abilene High School where she was the department chair the last 10 years before retiring in 1994. Kathleen was an active member of Hillcrest Church of Christ.

Kathleen decided early in her life to act graciously to everyone, as she strove to be more like her Jesus. Scores of students, scouts, church members and friends remember her welcoming spirit and kind nature.

Surviving Kathleen are husband Bob, daughter Karen Norfolk and husband Ian, sister Marian Rowe and brother Fred Lemmons, one granddaughter, two grandsons as well as many other extended family members and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Joe and Brit Lemmons and her beloved son Paul.

Donations may be made in honor of Kathleen to Christian Service Center and Hendricks Hospice Care, Hendrickhospice.org. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com .