Joyce McElroy

Joyce Ann Fullerton McElroy, the daughter of William and Ruby (Hancock) Fullerton, was born on Jan. 4, 1942, in Montrose, Kan. She died Nov. 21, 2021, at the Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulys-

ses, Kan., at the age of 79.

Joyce grew up in a family of 17 siblings and was a graduate of Montrose High School, Class of 1960. She then moved to San Rafael, Calif., and married Roger McElroy.

After their first son, Curtis Eugene, was born, she didn't think California was a place to raise children so they moved back to Randall, Kan., to be near family. One year later, Gregory Allen was born and they headed west to Menlo, Kan., just in time for their oldest son to start pre-school in Colby. Both boys attended a few years of elementary school in Rexford, Kan. Adding two girls to the family, Gina Susanne and Kimi Lynn. In 1971, they moved to Johnson, Kan., where they raised their children. Joyce had the ability to find ways to keep her children busy and learn how to make money. At a young age, they delivered the Garden City and Dodge City newspaper, sold seeds, had a fireworks stand and many other endeavors. As everyone left home to pursue life, she enjoyed taking her oldest grandchildren to Colorado and Silver Dollar City.

Joyce was known for her clothing store, RJ Western Wear that she owned for many years. She enjoyed the craft of stamping names on leather western belts and visiting with all of her customers. Throughout her lifetime, she was an EMT and nurse's aide for Stanton County, a Girl Scout leader, a supervisor for 17 years at Grant County Feeders, a meter reader for Pioneer Electric, and a rural route postal carrier until four years ago when she moved to Ulysses, Kan., where she resided until her final day.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ruby; brothers, Roy, Donald, LaVern, and Dean; sisters, Bernice and Neva; and four infant brothers and one infant sister.

Survivors include her children; Curtis McElroy of Tulsa, Okla., Greg McElroy of Randall, Gina (Eric) Fox of Rockwall, Texas, and Kimi McElroy-Posey of Amarillo, Texas; six grandchildren, Kellie (Richie) Breaux, Cassie (Gavin) Cole, Shayden (Brandon) Cowen, Wyatt Posey, Max Fox, Stella McElroy, Matthew Lisle and Cheyenne Lisle; nine great-grandchildren, Hayden and Elsie Breaux, Abigail, Kylie, Karsen and Brycen Cowen, Lillian Parker-Posey, and Emmett and Reese Cole; her siblings, Phyllis Ohmstead of Emporia, Norma Eitzmann of Superior, Yvonne Blair of Superior, Claudine Fullerton of Superior, Dave Fullerton of Mankato, and Brenda Moser of Hugoton; and many other family and friends.

Her final resting place will be next to her family at Pleasant View Cemetery in Montrose. Memorial contributions may be given to Joyce McElroy Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Kan. 67880. Condolences may be posted at http://www.garnand funeralhomes.com.