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Joyce L. “Joy” Valentine Slaughter

Joyce Slaughter was born in Ogallala Nebraska to Lauretta and Ollie Valentine on March 1, 1950. Ever after to be known as Joy, she lived up to that name. Joy enjoyed life and deeply loved her family and friends and her Lord.

Joy taught in many capacities for 38 years. She was enriched by the challenges of students with special mental and behavioral needs and later truly enjoyed sharing those experiences while teaching university classes before retiring in 2018. She taught Sunday School in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades for 18 years and attended summer camp with them for 13 years.

Joy was active in ARC serving on the board to plan activities for the local groups and at the state level developing policies regarding adults with Developmental Disabilities.

Dave and Joy enjoyed traveling, having fun day tripping in Nebraska and planning cruises every five years to celebrate key anniversaries. Their time together as Best Friends was full of rich experiences. She also enjoyed 'treasure hunting' trips with two very good friends and was constantly supported by her friendships with her watercolor painting group, reading club and Bible studies and a very special Prayer Partner of 7 years.

Dave and Joy always had special dog friends in their home and her dogs were always with her inside and out. Together, Dave and Joy planned and maintained beautiful outdoor spaces and were proud to earn a Yard of the Month award. They enjoyed having family and friends in their home frequently and her special delight was to be her youngest sister's guardian and have many special times together.

She recently lost her well fought battle with cancer at home surrounded by family.

Joyce "Joy" Slaughter 74 of Kearney passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024 at her home surrounded by family.

Left to honor her memory are her loving husband Dave of 55+ years and two sons, Jason Slaughter of Lincoln and Scott Slaughter in Omaha, two grandsons Tyler Birrenbach and Tristan Stricker-Slaughter. Their mothers Stacey Stricker and Kerri Birrenbach have had a special place in her heart for many years.

Also left to cherish her memory are her mother Lauretta Valentine, sisters Jackie Hays and brother-in-Law David Hays, sister Jerri Valentine, former daughter-in-law, Stacey Stricker, sister-in-Law Julie Larsen, brother-in-Law Tom Larsen, sister-in-Law Roberta Slaughter.

Joy was preceded in death by her loving father Ollie Valentine, older sister Linda Brott, brother-in -law Mark Slaughter.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Kearney with Pastor Sean Dougherty officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at the O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney.

Memorials are suggested to ARC of Buffalo County, First Baptist Church or Nebraska Children's Home or to Al-anon.

Services are entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

In loving Memory

Joyce "Joy" Slaughter

Born March 1, 1950 Ogallala, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest: September 5, 2024 Kearney, Nebraska

Memorial Service 10:30am Thursday, September 12, 2024 First Baptist Church,, Kearney, Nebraska. Officiant: Pastor Sean Dougherty. Congregational Hymns: "Blessed Assurance" Song Leader Jason Slaughter. "It Is Well With My Soul" Accompanist Enid Hansen. Special Music "Gentle Shepherd" Roberta Slaughter and Julie Larsen

Honorary Pallbearers: Joy's Painting Group
Carol, Shirley, Lynn, Barb, Sheryl, Lotys

Please join the family for a time of food and fellowship at the church immediately following the service.

~~from obituary courtesy of O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home. obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska~~~

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