Joyce Dean (Gilley) Gordon

Joyce Dean (Gilley) Gordon, age 87, of Montrose, Colorado, passed away early Saturday morning, December 27, 2025, at the home of her daughter, Vicki Herbig. During the previous evening, many caring family members and dear friends visited Joyce, sharing their feelings of love, gratitude, and admiration.

Joyce was born April 6, 1938, to Elmer Gilley and Esther Mae (De Shazo) Gilley in Jackson County, Florida. She spent her early years in Florida and later attended school in Mulberry, Arkansas. It was at Mulberry High School where she met her forever sweetheart, William Roger Gordon. Joyce and Bill eloped to California and were married on June 16, 1955, in Dinuba. The couple shared 55 wonderful years together, eventually moving from Oklahoma to Colorado, where they made their home until William’s death in 2010.

Joyce’s father passed away when she was a toddler, and her younger years were defined by hard work, leaving little time for a carefree childhood. Despite this, she possessed an indomitable spirit and rose above those hardships, purposefully choosing to concentrate on the positive aspects of life. While her physical beauty was evident to all, Joyce’s loved ones knew she was even more beautiful on the inside.

A woman of both a sharp mind and a kind heart, Joyce recorded in her Bible that she renewed her commitment to God and Jesus by accepting Christ as her Savior on August 26, 1982. Her hand-written notes share that she was baptized on October 2, 1982. She deeply loved and adored her family, including her children, their spouses, and an ever-growing number of grandchildren. Joyce and Bill were also long-time, committed foster parents, supporting over one hundred youth in their home and embracing them all as family.

She enjoyed many hobbies, such as gardening and caring for animals, but in later years she often shared how much she longed for her sweetheart, Bill. She dearly missed his presence in her life. They are finally together again; a reunion that is bittersweet only for the living. We love and miss them both.

Survivors who feel blessed to have shared their lives with Joyce include her sons: Roger (Eileen) Gordon of Grove, Oklahoma; Kevin (Christie) Gordon of Tulsa, Okla.; and Brian Gordon of Arizona. Her daughters include Vicki Herbig of Montrose; Lisa (Ed) Bryson of Montrose; Mary (Jody) Eli of Denver, Colo.; Daisha (Allen) Darby of Grand Junction, Colo.; and Sharon (David) Dodson and Karen (Don) Harness, both of Tulsa, Okla. She is also survived by her brother, Lawrence Curtis Gilley; 27 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren. Joyce and Bill shared many special nieces and nephews.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, William; her mother, Esther Mae; her father, Elmer; sister, Juanita Odessa; son, David; daughter, Patty; grandsons, Sheldon and Nicholas; and great-grandson, Elisha.

An interment ceremony is scheduled for family and friends beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Grand View Cemetery, located west of Montrose.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to HopeWest in memory of Joyce Gordon. Donations may be made online at hopewestco.org/donate or mailed to HopeWest, 725 S. 4th Street, Montrose, CO 81401. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, Montrose.