Joy Lou Rutherford, 86, of Bay City passed away June 23, 2024.  She was born January 31, 1938 in Luling, Texas to the late Robin Thomas Dye and Gladys Flossie New Dye.  She was the youngest of 4 sisters, Oneita Odom (Richard), Velda Grey (Joe), and Doris Matthews (Bobby).

Joy wasn't a woman of hobbies, but she was a devoted worker for the Lord and her family.  She would organize volunteers and participate in monthly visits to Bay Villa Nursing Home.  When there, they would wash, roll and style hair for the residents.  Joy also enjoyed sewing and stuffing frogs for children in the hospital.  She was an avid Sunday school teacher for many years.  She coordinated blood drives and facilitated post funeral meals for grieving families.  She took great pride in spreading God's love thru the Harvest House Ministries.

In addition to her parents and sisters, she was preceded in death by her husband Damon Wray Rutherford, Sr.  Damon and Joy were married for 59 years and are together again for all of eternity.

Survivors include children Rhonda Y. Walker (Mark) of Borger, TX, Damon W. Rutherford, Jr. (Debra) of Renton WA; Pamela K. Colkitt (Dean) of Goose Creek, SC and Trina M. Kilbride (Robert) of Bay City; grandchildren Mark A. Walker, Jr., Rachel A. Walker, Katherine A. Rutherford, Alisha N. Milton (Ryan), Kameron C. Kilbride, Kayden M. Kilbride, Dawn M. Terzulli (Damon) and Angela C. Carnicom (Andrew); great-grandchildren Ava Mae, Maddilyn Olivia and Katie Jean Terzulli, Andrew "A.J." Carnicom, Jr. and Eleanor Joy Milton.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be at 4:00 PM Friday, July 12, 2024 at Nichols Street Church of Christ with Glen Organ officiating.  Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Alan Walker, Kameron Kilbride, Robert Kilbride, Greg Organ, Ryan Milton and John Westbrook.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harvest House Food Ministry; 2204 Nichols Ave.; Bay City, TX 77414.