Joyce Virginia Stubbs

Joyce Virginia Stubbs, 85 years of age, passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, in the comfort of her home and surrounded by her loved ones. She was born December 7,1938, in Vernal, Utah, to the late Alma Buist and Gladys Richins Buist. The 4th of 8 children, Joyce was preceded in death by her siblings Douglas, Delma, Barbara, and Ernest. Joyce graduated from Uintah High School where she participated in sports. 

Our mom, Joyce, fell in love with our dad, Van, when they were swimming in the Vernal Canal and riding horses. Mom said dad was “Just what she always wanted–the love of her life and the most handsome boy she knew.” Dad says mom was always a “little shorty.” But while she was small in stature, she was big in heart and energy. Joyce and Van were married on August 16, 1957, in Vernal, Utah, and later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. They are the proud parents of five daughters.

A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joyce fulfilled many callings. She loved serving in the temple and attended each week with Van. She also enjoyed going to the genealogy library. Her most cherished calling, though, was being a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. Joyce loved unconditionally and was known for giving away food and hugs and for stashing a little extra cash in someone’s pocket. She spent lots of time in the service of others, and all who knew her loved her. 

Joyce worked alongside her beloved husband building homes, farming, and canning all the food he harvested. She had the belief that work and diligence could strengthen character and ability, and she instilled this into her children and grandchildren. An example of honesty, integrity, and doing the right thing, Joyce created a Christ-centered home and taught her children and grandchildren to love the Lord and to rely on him. She was a defender of truth (and her children), strived to live what she believed, and had an obedient spirit that guided her throughout her life. 

When entering her home, her children would be greeted by the best smells in the world: her homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, cream puffs, and raisin-filled cookies. Joyce was a lovely host when family came to visit, making sure that everyone was well cared for and that delicious food was on the table. She took joy in getting her family together. 

When she was young, Joyce loved to swim and ride horses. She was a wonderful softball and volleyball player and savored being outdoors. Joyce and her family camped often in the Uintas and created amazing memories playing horseshoes (a tradition her parents also enjoyed). She adored lilacs, peonies and roses and filled her home with houseplants. For years, Joyce would walk faithfully up and down her driveway while memorizing all 13 Articles of Faith. She was fond of playing card games and doing puzzles with family, and she spent hours making beautiful, treasured quilts for her children and grandchildren. Her beloved grandbabies, great-grandbabies, and great-great-grandbabies brought her much joy. She will forever be remembered as a guiding light and a defender of faith and family. 

Joyce is survived by her husband of 66 years, William Van Stubbs; her daughters, VaNattia Alexander (David), Becky Sue Osborn (Dale), Shona Dee Jackson (Cal), Sandria Stubbs Wilde, Teresa Ann Ashby (Troy); 24 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. 

A viewing will be held Saturday, March 2, at 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service following at 12:00 p.m.--both in the Davis 2nd Ward LDS Chapel (Uintah Stake Center) at 4080 South 2500 East in Vernal, Utah. Following the services, Joyce will be buried at the Vernal Memorial Park Cemetery.

**We wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to all who have assisted in any way at this time. Those who have extended expressions of sympathy and offer of assistance during our time of mourning.  We express our love and thanks to you for attending the services for our beloved Joyce.