Shirley Popejoy

Shirley Joan Mills Popejoy, 80, of Spring, Texas, passed away on April 4, 2014. She was taken by respiratory failure in her home with her husband by her side.

Joan, as she was known by her family and friends, was born on July 25, 1933, on the Mills Farm, 12 miles outside Hugoton, Kansas. She spent her childhood there with her parents, Daisy and OW Mills, and her siblings. She was married June 19, 1949, to Bernard Popejoy. It was a marriage that was destined to last 64 years. Joan graduated from Hugoton High School in 1952 and immediately began the work she always considered her most important; caring for her family. She stayed in her beloved home town until 1979, when she and Bernard made a move to Liberal, Kansas. In 1992, they made an even bigger move to Waco, Texas. Although Joan adopted Texas, she always considered Kansas her true home.

Joan’s interests included family history and memory keeping. She never hesitated to share stories and pictures with those around her. She truly loved watching and encouraging her 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 14 great- grandchildren. She made it her mission not to miss a baseball game, concert, pageant, or swim meet.

Joan is survived by her husband, Bernard Popejoy of Spring, Texas, daughter, Shari Popejoy Esposito and her husband, Vince of Spring Texas, son, Dan Popejoy and his wife, Terri of Georgetown, Texas, grandchildren, Kim DeGarmo Oelke of Houston, Texas, Chris DeGarmo and his wife, Liza of Austin, Texas, Liz Popejoy Gabel and her husband David, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Kelli Schroeder Hall and her husband, Jeff of Spring Texas, and Andrew Popejoy and his wife, Vicki of Waco Texas, along with 14 great-grandchildren, ages 2-21. Joan is also survived by her sister, Janell Mills Burditt and her husband, Kenneth of Whispering Pines, North Carolina, and her brother, Doug Mills and his wife, Rita of Hugoton, Kansas. Joan is predeceased by her parents, OW and Daisy Mills and brothers, Earl Mills, Jerry Mills and Don Mills.

Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Hugoton on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on April 10, at the church. Officiating the service will be Pastor Jo Mead. Pallbearers are: Andy Popejoy, Chris DeGarmo, Jeff Hall, Jeff Mills, Jamie Mills and Matt Mills. Interment will be at the Hugoton, cemetery. Funeral arrangements are provided by Garnand Funeral Home of Hugoton423 S. Main, Hugoton, KS 67951.

Three words that sum up her life: Joan loved family.