Joan Sylvia Dooley

Joan Sylvia (Anderson) Dooley was born February 21, 1932 in Morristown, New Jersey and passed away on December 5, 2015 in Tyler. She graduated from Morristown High School in 1949 and later earned an Associates of Arts degree in Secretarial Studies. She was married to Cody Rutan for 25 years, and later to Claude (Tom) Dooley for 29 years. Joan lived the majority of her adult life in El Paso before moving to Tyler in 2003 to be closer to family. She worked for El Paso Natural Gas Company.

Joan will be remembered as an ever-gracious child of God, one who daily reflected the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Children and youth held a special place in Joan’s heart, especially those in South El Paso. She tirelessly served in her churches’ ministries, as well as providing a home front for young men in the military. Joan was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Tyler.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother. Those who remain to grieve Joan’s death yet celebrate her eternal life in heaven are her four children, Deborah Rutan, Daniel Rutan and wife, Maggie, David Rutan and wife Cynthia, and Douglas Rutan and wife, Jeanne, along with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

The memorial service for Joan will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2001 Hunter Street in Tyler, at 4:30 pm Thursday, December 10, 2015. Lloyd James Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the church.