Obituary of Joie Anderson Lee

Joie Anderson Lee October 27, 1924 - July 22, 2017 A Celebration of Life for Joie (Joan) Anderson Lee, 92, will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Our Savior Lutheran Church with Pastor Dave Reber officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Joie was born in Rochester, Minnesota to Julian Frances (Chris) Anderson and Florence (Nupson) Anderson on October 27, 1924. She was raised in Preston, Minnesota and growing up was an active swimmer, ice skater, and skier. She graduated from Preston High School and attended St. Cloud Community college for one year after which time she followed her family to New Mexico. There she enrolled in Eastern New Mexico College, a two year institution at that time. Joie transferred to the University of New Mexico where she was a candidate for Homecoming Queen and active in Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. In 1946, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial Education from UNM. She taught at Carrizozo High School for one year before marrying Giles Milton Lee of Lovington on July 7, 1947. They were blessed with seventy years of marriage. Joie and Giles lived in Las Cruces while Giles finished college and rodeoed at New Mexico A & M. They moved to the Swamp Angel Ranch in 1948 and there raised three daughters, Libby, Becky, and Mary Ann. Joie was a charter member of Our Savior Church, a charter member of Chapter AJ of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an active member of AAUW and was honored by P.E.O. for her fifty year membership. She served on the original Good Samaritan Board when in the planning stages, and was on the Lay Advisory Board for the Lovington Schools. Joie was very supportive of all her daughters’ and husband’s activities and interests. She enjoyed reading and traveling, her family and church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Christopher “Kick” Anderson and by two grandsons, Christopher Shaun Berry and Cpt. Todd Tyler Christmas and by great- grandson, Luke Shaun Hilton. She is survived by her husband Giles M. Lee, three daughters: Libby (Danny) Berry of Eunice, NM, Becky (Brad) Christmas of Wagon Mound, NM and Mary Ann ( Bub) Waldrop of San Angelo, TX. Also surviving her is one brother: John Lawton Anderson of Amarillo, TX and grandchildren Jessica Berry (Jeff) Hilton, Matt (Rachel) Christmas, Will Christmas, Ashley Ham and Brooke Ham and by great-grandchildren, Hannah and Dillon Hilton and Todd Pressley Christmas. Joie left an example of strong character, distinctive spirit and unfailing faith that will be long remembered by those who knew and loved her. Memorial donations in Joie’s memory may be directed to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 600 S. Ninth, Lovington, NM 88260.