Joy Nowlin age 95, passed away on June 8, 2026 at her home in Kenedy, Texas.

Born on December 12, 1930, in Cranfills Gap, Texas, Joy was the 4^th of the 5 Children of Ambrose Oglesby (1900-1958) and Emma Jane Oglesby (1900-1995).  The Ogelsby family moved often and eventually made their home in Lubbock, Texas, where joy graduated from Lubbock High School.

After 2 years at Texas Tech University, Joy married and started a family, raising 3 children in San Antonio, Texas.  She returned to college in 1967 earning a BA and MA in speech Pathology and Communication Disorders in 1971 from Our Lady of the Lake University. She worked in the Judson ISD and then for Region 20 “Child Find” project while also earning her Ed.D. in educational Psychology from Bringham Young University in 1981. She went on to teach classes at Sul Ross State University in Uvalde, to work as a speech pathologist for the special education co-op in Uvalde and an educational diagnostician for the Gainesville State School and the Corsicana Residential Treatment Center, and to teach classes at Texas Woman’s University in Denton.  She retired from full-time employment in 1994 and moved to Kenedy, Texas where she remained professionally active in part time positions with TDCJ and Pettus ISD, retiring fully in 2008.

She is survived by her children Patricia White Hyde (Ronald) of Kenedy, Jack Anthony White, Jr. (Yvonne) of Allen, and Judith White Bedrzycki (Robert-deceased) of San Antonio; 7 grandchildren, Amanda Hyde Conine (Adam), Emily Hyde, Robert Moore Biedrzycki, Caitlyn Biedrycki Klein (Kristen), Benjamin Kyle Biedrzycki, Vanessa White Kostroun (Josh), and Adam Spencer White; and 6 grandchildren, Caroline Conine, Eloise Conine, Camilla Conine, Camryn Klein, Reese Klein, and Emma Kostroun.

Joy was a member of First Baptist Church of Kenedy and served as a greeter at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio for several years after her retirement.  She enjoyed line-dancing and browsing in local thrift stores.  She was an encourager and placed a great value on education, and although she never required it, she lived to see each of her children and grandchildren earn college degrees.

During the Last Decade of her Life, joy needed the help of caregivers.  We Are son grateful for the wonderful care she received in her final days from Mary Lou Gonzales and Cookie Garcia, and from Di’Anna Bocanegra who has worked with her for the past 10 years and was able to be with her at the end.  These ladies along with the staff of New Century Hospice enabled Joy to experience her best quality of life in her final days.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for Friday, June 19, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Eckols Funeral Home.  A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 am.