Joyce Raylene Brown


Memorial services will be held for 70-year Bishop resident 
Joyce Brown, 77, on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m. at Owens 
Valley Mortuary in Lone Pine. Pastor Mark Terry will 
officiate.

Joyce died Jan. 22, 2003 at Southern Inyo Hospital in Lone 
Pine after a lengthy illness. She had moved from her home 
in Bishop only four months ago to Lone Pine, where she 
could be near her daughter, Denise Jones, wife of Dr. Ben 
Jones. She was able to receive kind, 24-hour care at the 
Southern Inyo Hospital skilled nursing facility.

Born in Denver, Co. in 1925, she was the daughter of Olive 
Smith and Leo Smith, who were also long-time Bishop 
residents.

Joyce was the wife of John D. Brown, Jr., who preceded her 
in death in 1996. She also had two brothers, Frank Church 
and Verne Smith, who preceded her in death.

For many years, Joyce and John enjoyed fishing, hunting and 
camping in their travel trailer in the Eastern Sierra. She 
loved to babysit her granddaughter, Angie. John also 
enjoyed helping with the girls mounted drill team in 
Bishop, The Bishopettes, in the 1960s.

During Joyce's working years, she was employed at several 
jobs as a bookkeeper and clerical officer manager - namely, 
Western Gillette Trucking, Continental Phone Co. and 
Petrolane Gas Company. After John's death, Joyce became 
active in the Bishop Senior Program. She developed many 
warm and lasting friendships there.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Denise Jones of Lone 
Pine; granddaughter, Angie Tapley; grandson-in-law, Craig; 
and great granddaughter, Grace Tapley, born 10 months ago 
on Joyce's 77th birthday. She is also survived by step-
children, Harold Brown, John Brown, III and Loretta Tober 
of Lone Pine; and their children, grandchildren and great 
grandchildren.

During her brief stay in Southern Inyo Hospital, Joyce 
developed many affectionate friendships with not only the 
staff, but with several ladies who were regular visitors. 
They enjoyed her sharp mind, warm smile and witty sense of 
humor. Joyce was truly a caring, kind and compassionate 
person, always wanting to give to others. She was known 
for her keen sense of responsibility and loving nature. 
She was an expert at crossword puzzles, and was an avid 
reader. Additionally, she had a deep faith in God. She 
will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. However, 
her family rejoices that she no longer suffers, and is now 
with the Lord in Heaven.

Donations can be made in her name to: So. Inyo Hospital 
Skilled Nursing Facility, P.O. Box 1009, Lone Pine, 
CA 93545.

Bishop, Inyo County, California
The Inyo Register - Saturday, January 25, 2003
Page A-2
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Permission to post given by the Publisher, Sharon Dare.

Transcribed by Denise S. Flynn