Joy Goodman McClellan

Joy Goodman McClellan, a resident of Waco, died Tuesday morning , May 23, 2017 in her home after a brief battle with cancer.

Private Memorial Service: Will be held at a later date

Joy was born October 17, 1933 in Big Springs, the daughter of Horace and Mildred Jones Goodman. She was the third child of three children in the Horace Goodman family. Two brothers, Horace C. Goodman, Jr. and Jimmy Carie Goodman preceded her in birth and death. Her mother, Mildred, preceded her in death in 1947 when Joy was only 14 years old. Joy completed high school at San Marcos Baptist Academy in San Marcos in May 1950, earning the highest honors.

She was employed by Bell Telephone Company in El Paso until September 1953, when she enrolled in Howard Payne College in Brownwood. She met Billy Lynn McClellan and after five months of dating, announced her engagement to be married August 6, 1954. At the time of her death, Joy and Billy had been married 63 years and 289 days. Two sons, Russell Lynn and Stanley Archer McClellan were born to this marriage.

Joy received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Howard Payne College in 1957. She worked as a public school teacher in Georgetown, Texas and Valley Mills, Texas, towns in which her husband, pastored Baptist churches. She also taught in elementary school in the Clint Independent School District before becoming a Middle School Librarian. Joy completed her educators career as Librarian of University High School in Waco.

Joy lived 83 years and 125 days, which were filled with love for her family, dedication to her faith and sometimes a bit of a struggle. True to her name, she was blessed with a joyful spirit. She was a sensitive, caring and loyal woman who loved her family intensely and without reservation. She loved music and was an excellent pianist. Her family remembers her house was always filled with music. She was a Librarian who loved books and was organized in every way. She created beautiful scrapbooks for her children and grandchildren to treasure. She also enjoyed movies, particularly funny ones like the Marx Brothers, Princess Bride, Monty Python or classics like Pride and Prejudice and any Charles Dickens story and Les Miserables.
Joy was quick witted and sly! In recent years, she enjoyed keeping up with her grandchildren online, earning the nickname “the Facebook Stalker.” Family members are overwhelmed by the fondest memories of a patient teacher, a loyal friend and a loving mother who consistently gave of herself for the betterment of her family and community.

Joy is survived by her husband, Billy L. McClellan; two sons, Russell Lynn and Stanley Archer McClellan; four grandchildren, Matthew Ryan McClellan, Emily Christine McClellan Sparks, Elijah Carl McClellan and Eryn Celeste McClellan; four great-grandchildren; and a wonderful group of long time and short time friends mourn her passing.

Place of Service: null,