Joyce Saunders

Joyce Stella Christensen Bailey Saunders passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2020 after a fall and short illness. She was surrounded by family and died at home in Elk Ridge, Utah. She was 87 years old.



Joyce was born on April 26, 1932 to Raymond David and Ila Peterson Christensen, she was born at the home of her paternal grandparents (James & Erasmena Christensen) in Moroni, Sanpete County, Utah. She grew up on a farm and had fond memories of hard work, family togetherness and lots of love. The family motto was, "Hard things we do right away...Impossible things take longer."



Joyce loved to learn, and her favorite subjects were math, English and history. She met her sweetheart, love, and helpmate, Robert (Bob) Bailey, at a High School football game. They were married June 7, 1948, in the Manti Temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had 33 years of togetherness and welcomed six children to their family. Carolyn, Michael, Kevin, Rick, James, and Tami. Tragedy struck on September 21, 1982 when Bob died of a heart attack. Three years later she met and married Lee R. Saunders in the Jordan River Temple, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With this union she welcomed six more children to her family, Laurel, Craig, Roger, Clark, Jonathan and Andy, she loved them and their spouses as her own.



Joyce owned and operated her own business, "Designs by Joyce", in Orem, Utah. After marrying Lee, they moved to San Bernardino, California and then to Palmer, Alaska. Lee died November 11, 2007. After his death she moved back to Utah where she later moved in with daughter, Tami, and her family.



Joyce was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served in many, many capacities in Primary, Young Women, Relief Society and Cub Scouts. She served an 18-month mission to Las Vegas, Nevada from April 2010 to October 2011.



Joyce loved to decorate, was an accomplished seamstress and was very detail oriented. She had an eye for color and loved the color green. She had a love/hate relationship with chocolate, and she loved being active.



Preceded in death by her parents, Ray & Ila Christensen. Spouses Bob Bailey, Lee Saunders, son, Rick Bailey and daughter-in-law, Holly Meyer Saunders.



Survived by children: Carolyn (Craig) Fields, Mike (Colleen) Bailey, Kevin (Christy) Bailey, James Bailey, Tami (Don) Patterson, Laurel (Brent) Phelps, Craig (Debi) Saunders, Roger (Kristy) Saunders, Clark Saunders, Jonathan (Ronna) Saunders, Andy (Julie) Saunders. 51 Grandchildren, 114 Great Grandchildren, 14 Great, Great Grandchildren and counting.



A viewing will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2020 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elk Ridge Stake Center, 185 East Ridge View Drive, Elk Ridge, Utah 84651. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. that morning.

Internment will be at the Manti City Cemetery, Manti, Utah



Thanks to the staff at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Provo, Utah, The Towers, Provo, Utah, Mountain View Hospital, Payson, Utah and Symbii Hospice, Provo, Utah for their careful, respectful and needed help.



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