- Joy was petite, with almost black hair, sparkling brown eyes and deep dimples. She was strikingly beautiful.
Joy Evelyn Tanner was born to John Sherman Tanner and Evelyn Joy Pitman 30 May 1943 in Anchorage, Alaska. Her family moved to Juneau, Alaska the following year, where she grew up in their homestead located at Auke Bay. She had 1 brother, John and two younger sisters: Judy and Janet. Her mother died when she was almost 4 and her father married Hazel Luella Reisewitz (2 April 1948) and she then got 5 more younger sisters: Nina, Dawn, Lizette, Rayda and Marion (Mae).
She married Thomas William Bearman 27 December 1964 In Raymond, Washington. They eventually settled in Auburn, Washington and had 5 children: Joanne Lynn 16 April 1966, Debra Suzanne 23 February 1976, Rebecca Joy 26 October 1970, Charles Ragnar 1 April 1972 and Michael James 13 August 1973. Their family was sealed in the Logan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1 August 1979.
Joy died after a 15 year long struggle with Liver, Lung and Heart Disease 25 July 2006 (Age 63) while at the beach with her loving family in Gearhart, Oregon and is buried in Auburn, Washington.
Joy was an incredible lady. Throughout her lifetime she has known and touched the lives of so many. She lived life to its absolute fullest. She gave 110% toward everything she did. Her life demonstrated the scripture, by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. Her drive, determination, and energy were a marvel to behold. Her attitude was infectious and she made people smile.
To say she magnified her church callings and assignments, doesnt do justice to the effort she put into them. No matter what was asked of her, she jumped in with both feet without complaint. She embraced each new challenge with excitement and zeal. When she was a Ward Missionary, she wore her badge everywhere, and never missed an opportunity to share the gospel. She had several companions at once, since she was always available and eager to do the work.
As a teacher in Young Womens. Every Sunday after church she would personally visit the home of each girl not in attendance that day, to give her own, individual lesson.
She was also an ever faithful Visiting Teacher and Home Teaching companion to her husband, Tom. No matter her struggles she was always serving and helping those in need. In fact, with all that was happening in her life, her last months visits were a priority and her assignments were fulfilled. Church service was such a large and beautiful part of her life. Among them all, perhaps her two very favorite church callings were Primary Chorister, since she loved music and children, and Gospel Doctrine teacher, as she loved discussing the restored gospel of Christ.
Perhaps her greatest missionary accomplishment was during the first 13 years of her marriage. Tom was not an active member of the church when they married. Joy never missed a Sunday. After the kids came along she continued to set a tireless example. Attending church with five children created quite the challenge to her, yet she never wavered.
Joy did indeed love her family. Mike and Charles were such a handful that at one point it was suggested that she stop coming to church until her boys learned how to behave a little better. Yet through all these challenges she endured and remained a faithful example to us all, praying every night with her children, for Dad to return to church. During an interview with the stake president, she was promised that if she doubled her fast offerings and temple offerings, that her husband would, indeed, return to church. She faithfully followed this counsel, and her prayers were answered. The members of the ward were very grateful when dad starting coming to church, as the two boys became instantly better behaved.
Joy was also very protective of her children. Her children were the best kids in the world, and she would say as much to anyone willing to listen. Joys love and acceptance was not limited to her family. She welcomed everyone into her home, accepting them, encouraging them, and making that little home on 18th street a safe haven for all. Her famous chocolate chip cookies certainly encouraged friends to stop by as well.
Joy baked pies and delicious brown bread as well. The children often asked who the baking was for, in hopes that they would get to keep some of the treats for themselves. All too often, it seemed, these special treats went right out the door to some other lucky recipient.
Joy loved music, art, plays, and all things beautiful and artistic. She instilled in all of her children a love for the theatre. From the time they were very young she was directing plays. All of the children performed in various plays she directed. She directed plays for church, was stage manager for semi-professional productions, and directed various elementary school plays around Auburn. She loved helping people show their talents and had a talent of bringing out the best in them. Her last calling in the church was as the cultural arts director.
Joy had an absolutely beautiful voice. The sound of vocal scales and singing was common in her home. She sang many solos in the chapel building, and sang professionally at various churches in the area. She loved to sing and created deep and lasting friendships with her singing groups and accompanists. Her voice could be heard during every congregational hymn in church.
Joy also loved making people look beautiful. The family home regularly smelled of Apple Pectin perm solution. There were always people there getting hair cuts, perms, and colorings. She even gave free haircuts to all missionaries in our area. She continued doing hair up to the week she passed away. She touched many people through her service to them with her beautician skills.
Joy struggled for many years with her health (she lived 15 years beyond the doctors predictions). As with everything in her life, she went about taking care of this problem with energy, determination and stubbornness. She refused to accept everything the doctors expected of her. She explored all kinds of natural and holistic healing. Some were very helpful to her, while others were less so.
Joys grandchildren grew up being very familiar with her natural oils. She had an oil for every occasion. She even wore them as perfume. If she overheard that one of the grandkids had a bump, or scrape, a bug bite, or an upset stomach, Joy would apply oils liberally. After each visit they came away smelling like grandma.
Joy was an awesome grandma! She could have been a professional! She loved and adored all 22 of her grandchildren. She spoiled each of them and made them all feel individually special. Every year there was a family reunion at a beach house in Gearhart, Oregon. Her last year, Joy knew that she wouldnt be with the family for Christmas, and did not want to miss seeing her grandchildren open their gifts from her. She spent months shopping and sewing in preparation. Even when not feeling well, she worked and worked up until leaving for the vacation at the beach. Thanks to her amazing efforts, the family had Christmas in July with her. The joy she had being surrounded by her grandkids was evident in her beaming eyes. Joys eyes always had happiness and love in them and were the window to her soul. At her funeral most of her granddaughters were there, all wearing dresses or skirts sewn by their grandmother.
During her very last moments on earth, Joy was spending time with her family. She passed away, surrounded by, and talking with, those she loved most -- those who all love, adore, and admire her. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and wife. She recently mentioned that she is extremely grateful that she can continue to be a grandma in heaven. Charlie & his wife had a stillborn daughter named Faith, who is no doubt overjoyed to see her grandmother.
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