Joy Ann Weller

Joy Ann (Rich) Weller was born February 22, 1929 to Gretchen Marie and Carlus Leonard Rich of Arcola Illinois. Joy was their second child with bothers Francis, Bill and David Rich. At age 95, she went to be with Jesus peacefully on December 16, 2024 in Austin, Texas with family by her side.

The story is there was a big snowstorm before Mom was born so they traveled from their farm into Arcola to the home of Aunt Bessie and Uncle Romie Hamilton. The snow was so bad that the doctor had to come to Aunt Bessie’s on horse back for the delivery. When Aunt Bessie first saw Mom, she said “Oh My! She’s a Joy!”, so they named her Joy.

Growing up on the farm, Joy attended Columbia one room school with grades 1 thru 8 across the road from the farm. She remembers her dad would carry her across the road to school when it snowed.

Growing up, Joy took piano lessons and for a time was pianist at Arcola Free Methodist Church, where her parents attended. She was inspired by her grandmother, Daisy Clevenger, an organist during the early Billy Grahm crusades. Joy graduated from Arcola High School, attended one year at Greenville Free Methodist College and worked for a time at the Arcola Record Herold.

In July 1944, a young man from Hindsboro, Norman Weller, left a full ride scholarship to the Citadel and joined the Navy to serve his country during WWII, at the age of 18. He was trained as a signalman and served in the Pacific. During one of his home leaves, he met Joy and they wrote letters back and forth until he was discharged in 1946. Norman and Joy were married in Arcola on September 19, 1947. The young couple moved to Terre Haute, Indiana where Norman attended and graduated from Rose Poly Tech with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1949. First son, Perry, born in July 1948 attended the graduation.

In 1951, they left the snow behind and moved to Houston, Texas, where Norman worked for Brown and Root. Two more sons were born there, Dana in 1953 and Mark in 1955. Joy was a loving and busy mother, but with three young boys, was homesick for her family. In 1956, they returned to Illinois where Norman worked for US Industrial Chemicals in Tuscola, Illinois. As the boys grew, Joy went back to school and earned an associate degree in business at Illinois College.

In 1968, the family returned to Houston, Texas where Joy earned her insurance license and began working with Connecticut Mutual then MassMutual and was an award-winning agent, finally retiring at age 80.

Joy and Norman loved each other deeply. They worshipped at Westbury Church of Christ and were active with friends in the community. One of her many ministries was calling friends, singing and playing piano for them, especially Happy Birthday. She was an excellent cook, seamstress and loved to crochet, including baby blankets for all her grandchildren.

They were happy and content living independently in their beloved home of nearly 50 years until being flooded by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. When the water receded, they moved to Austin, Texas to be close to family. After several months of heart problems, sadly, Norman passed away in June 2018 leaving his devoted wife of 70 years behind. Joy loved and missed him deeply.

In January 2023, Joy moved into a brand-new assisted living facility, The Reserve at Lake Austin, only 5 minutes from Perry and Pam. She was able to take her beloved baby grand piano with her, even though it consumed much of her bedroom. She had a wonderful 95th birthday party in February 2024 with all her children and grandchildren attending.

Joy was preceded in death by her brothers Francis, Bill and David Rich and son Mark Weller. Joy is survived by children, Perry and wife Pam, Dana and Susan, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A service will be held at Edwards Funeral Home on December 28, 2024 at 2 pm to remember Joy and give tribute to a life, well-lived. Family and friends are welcome to join us. Burial will follow at Arcola Cemetery.

The family wishes to extend our gratitude to the management and staff at The Reserve at Lake Austin, Kindful Health Hospice, TheKey Home Care and all her caregivers for taking such excellent care of Joy.