Joy Ann Rash

Joy Ann Rash entered fully into the presence of the Lord on August 25, 2022, reuniting with her husband of 61 years. She was born on October 1, 1935, to Jack and Doris Shinaut. She grew up in El Paso, Texas and after graduating from Ysleta high school earned a degree in Speech and Drama from Texas Western College. She married her husband Alan in May 1956, and they embarked on a lifelong partnership. Their first son, Steve, was born in 1957 shortly before they moved to Austin, Texas so her husband could attend law school. While he was obtaining his law degree, Joy worked three jobs to support their growing family. Their second son, Rick, was born during these Law School years. After law school, they returned to El Paso where she avidly supported her husband‘s legal career. During this time, she taught in the Ysleta independent school district. When her third son Paul arrived, she temporarily focused on being the great wife, mother and homemaker that she was. When she returned to the workforce, she served as the Senior Pastor’s secretary at her church. She later embarked on a successful real estate career. The most important thing to Joy was her family. She was a very devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was also involved in her community serving in the El Paso Bar Auxiliary, President of the Young Matrons Association, Chancel Drama at Trinity First United Methodist Church, and the Shriners Auxiliary Association. Above all, Joy was a Christian mentor to many. She devoted a major part of her life to writing and presenting Christian programs and Bible studies. She developed publications of stories and Sunday school lessons for children. One of her major accomplishments in the latter part of her life was writing and publishing a book glorifying her relationship with her Lord and Savior titled My Holy Friend. Joy was preceded in death by her husband Alan, both of her parents, and her two brothers. She is survived by her three children Steve (Becky) of El Paso, Rick (Cindy) of Mesa Arizona, and Paul (Geralyn) of El Paso. She was also blessed with 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Her life will be celebrated on Saturday, September 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the Legacy Retirement Home in Mesa Arizona where she lived during her final years.