Joyce Gardner Andrews, 85, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed on July 28, 2012 in Fresno, California. Joyce was born on October 26, 1926 in Thornton, Idaho. As a teenager, Joyce moved to California and there met her husband and companion of almost 50 years, Leonard Andrews. Together, they raised three children.

Joyce's life was filled with love of family, service, and faith in her Heavenly Father. Joyce was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, known for her patience, kindness, and concern for others. Also, Joyce was a dedicated employee for Fresno Unified School District for many years.

Joyce leaves behind her son Leonard Lee Andrews (Pam), and her daughter Paula Andrews Andrews (David), along with thirteen grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Andrews, her daughter Jeanette Andrews Petersen (Craig), mother in law Leona Phillips Andrews Terry, her parents, sister, and brother.

Visitation will be held at Yost & Webb Funeral Home on Thursday, August 2, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Graveside Services will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
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Joyce Andrews Life Sketch

Joyce was a third generation McIntire raised on a rural family farm in Thornton, Idaho. Joyce would laugh at the thought that this wide spot in the road would be given the title of a "town". It consisted of a post office, general store, and that was it. It was there the third daughter of Burton Leroy, known as B.L., and Rae McIntire Gardner began her journey.

Joyce's health was an issue in her early years of life. As an infant she was fragile and considered little. At three years old and almost died to from consumption. She found humor in how she grew to be the tallest and strongest of the three girls. Of course, two younger brothers soon took over that roll in the family, but for a while it was Joyce's. B.L. treated his daughters as if they were sons and expected their help on the farm. Joyce would be the first to admit she was given lighter duties because of her health issues; much to the frustration of her older sisters. As she became a teenager Joyce was as healthy as her siblings.

Some of her favorite childhood memories were of Uncle Nate who would come to stay in the winters, playing dolls and house with her sisters, and music in the home. Her father would play the guitar and mandolin in the evenings after dinner in their living room. The family would listen to him practice with a local band and learned to sing-along. Of course there was the radio that B.L. would play each morning. As with a lot of memories, those early morning wake up calls didn't seem that fond at the time.

Joyce was one who became homesick whenever she left the farm. Even if it were just for the night Joyce would find herself crying to go home. Even in her teen years, that feeling of longing to be home always came back in the middle of the night. So no one ever thought Joyce would leave the farm or the community she knew. Then a turn of events happen that forever changed Joyce's life. Afton, her oldest sister, was a newlywed living in California where summer work was abundant. At age sixteen Joyce found herself on a greyhound bus with a one way ticket to California. The odds were against her making it through the hard summer work. She had never been that far or spent that long away from home before. No one, including herself realized she would never again live in Idaho.

Upon arriving in California and finding work, she was invited to attend the local town hall dance. There is where she met and fell in love with Leonard. She no longer felt homesick. When she was introduced to Leonard and learned he had also lived in Idaho she felt safe. She was sure that anyone from Idaho would be a good person and she never had a second doubt. And she was right.

Joyce married two days after she turned the eighteen. They headed to the court house with Afton and her husband Deloy and Leonard's mother, grandma Leona. Never once did she regret not having a fairytale wedding; their love was fairytale enough for her.

A year later came a difficult pregnancy with her first child. An emergency c-section surgery was necessary. Joyce never had a labor pain with any of her three children and was very thankful for that. When asked if she ever felt like she missed out on labor, her typical response came, "Oh heavens no." During her second pregnancy another medical problem came; this time for Leonard. The hospitalization for a year and during the birth of Jeanette left many challenges for the young couple. She remembered those times fondly of family support, friends who cared, and the blessings of strangers. Never once did she realize what a perilous situation they were really in. Instead, she clung to her faith and her belief that things would be better; and they were.

A few years later the young family found themselves living in Oakland as Leonard went to school. Living in a two-story downtown apartment held only one problem. Joyce would sleep walk and now had new concerns about safety.

A few short years later they were ready for the next chapter in their life. After graduation, two job offers presented themselves; one in Hawaii and one in Fresno. Fresno paid $5.00 a month more so Fresno became the obvious choice over Hawaii. It was during this time the days were filled with children, boy and girl scouts, church, and of building a new life in a new town. Friendships began to feel more of an extended family with the Uribe's, Jackson's, McCabe's, Gibson's, and many others.

Joyce cherished her role as a wife, mother, and homemaker. They had lived in south Fresno for several years but eventually settled for the next fifty-five years in northwest Fresno. It was there the surprise birth of Joyce's third child, Paula Rae, was welcomed. Now busy with one son and two daughters, she concentrated her efforts of family, friends and service to church. She was a loving mother, caring friend, and devoted wife. Dinner was always ready when Leonard came home. Joyce would stop whatever she was doing to greet him at the door and set an example of love for her family.

During the 70's interest grew in antique cars and general antiquing; so did the time commitment. Many years were spent in search of the right body, fender or license plate. Not only did the restoring of antique cars lead to hours of travel, work and fun but also opened the door to many new friends who shared the passion for antiquing.

Much to Joyce's delight, grandchildren came into her life. Lee's family grew with the addition of Paul, Lisa, April, and Jason. Jeanette brought her joy with her sons Todd, Chadd, Garett, Tyler and Steven. Paula added Brittany, Tiffany, Kyle and Stacy. The family has grown to include Pam, Lee's wife, Craig Jeanette's husband, David, Paula's husband, and thirteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. Joyce loved her grandchildren with passion and found delight with the birth of each great-grandchild.

Working for Fresno School food Services also lead to days being busy while still keeping Joyce around children and friends. After twenty-two years of employment, she retired to enjoy the golden years.

Losing Leonard in 1993 became the hardest trial she ever endured. Her heart was broken after forty-eight years of marriage. The nights were lonely and she found the radio helped to fill the silence. Then her older sister, Afton, came to visit and stayed fourteen years. This sisterhood was supported with laughter, memories, companionship, and calls to their loved sister, Bernice, and brother, Richard. They became a tight-knit family.

Another devastating loss came in 1995 with news of Jeanette's unexpected death. In two short years she had lost her husband and then her daughter. Joyce's strong belief in God, eternal life, and forever families helped her to find strength to continue.

Joyce did not enjoy growing older. She loved the growth of her family and extra time, but not the aging process. Physical challenges included: shattered wrist, broken hips and replacements, strokes, and ovarian cancer, to name a few.

Throughout Joyce's life she tried to treat others with kindness and forgiveness. She never was one to harbor ill will. She was given the special gift of Christ-like love for those around her.

The tears that are shed today by family and friends are not because of her destiny; for heaven awaits her with open arms. Leonard, Jeanette her brother, sister, and parents are celebrating her return to home. It is for us that are left to miss her terribly that the tears are for.