Joy Faith Ashley of Las Vegas, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2024. Joy was born in Chicago, IL on May 4, 1938, to William Gladstone (a four- time Golden Gloves Boxing Champion) and Gladys Durgin (Bootsie) a restaurant and bar proprietor. Little Joy was a beacon of light with a crown of strawberry blonde curls that rivaled Shirley Temple. She was known for her unstoppable determination and radiant spirit.
Joy loved to sing and performed at The Kit Kat Club and the Key Club in Chicago from 1964-1965. More than anything, Joy loved being a mother to her four children: Robert D. Grinnell, Jr., Randel W. Aleman, Summer Joy Carrizo and Rolane C. Grinnell. After divorcing in 1966, she packed up the kids and drove to Las Vegas for a fresh start and the opening of Caesar’s Palace where she worked as a camera girl and cocktail goddess. She later began a new career as administrative assistant at The Flamingo Hotel. She remarried and poured her heart and soul into raising her children and creating a beautiful home. Her flair for interior design and enterprising spirit led to opening Oh, Joy! An unfinished oak furniture store in Las Vegas. In later years, she owned Country Comforts, a boutique home goods store in Sedona, AZ, and St. George, UT.
Joy’s resilience and determination to succeed helped her through challenging times. She was empathetic and wanted to help others as well. She wrote an uplifting and encouraging lifestyle column for the Senior Sampler in St. George for a decade. After losing her last husband, Frederick Ashley, she started a social singles group to help others find love. Her giving spirit created lasting friendships over the years.
She wrote her life story and dreamed of sharing it to give people hope to persevere, as she had done. When her book JOY was published in December 2023, she was radiant at her book signing party, surrounded by family and friends.
Joy will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love for her family, friends and “fur babies” Zoey and Kiwi. Joy is survived by her sons Randel W. Aleman and Rolane C. Grinnell; her grandchildren, Randel J. Aleman, Kolton Norbert Aleman, Taylor Joy Aleman Sartini, Grayson Grinnell, Aaron Grinnell, Jonathan Grinnell, Dylan Grinnell, and a host of friends who will cherish her memory forever.
Joy’s Celebration of Life will take place on May 4th in St. George, UT.
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