Joy grew up in Erick, where she attended Erick Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1954. On August 29, 1954, Joy married Donald Brookshire in Erick. Together they made their home in Erick and Amarillo, TX before moving back in 1969. In Amarillo she worked as a meter maid. When they moved back to Erick, she worked as a bank teller for First National Bank. She also worked at Pucketts Grocery Store until she retired. She helped Donald on the ranch and kept up the home making sure everyone was taken care of. She also liked to work outdoors in her garden. Joy will be remembered for her loving heart and the care she showed to everyone.

Joy is preceded in death by her husband Donald Brookshire and parents Leo and Lucy Richardson and infant sister Carolyn Richardson.

She is survived by her children Doug Brookshire and wife Linda of Panhandle, TX and Donna Knox and husband Ricky of Cleburne, TX; five grandchildren Doug Phenix and wife Leah of Alvarado, TX, Angie Dorney and husband Patrick of Norman, OK, Derek Brookshire and wife Bobbie, Panhandle, Laci Stamps and husband Travis of Panhandle, TX, and Scott Knox and wife Stacy of Cleburne, TX; 15 great grandchildren Baylor, Tatum, Ryder, Malorie, Brayden, Nick, Libby, Wyatt, Gavan, Sawyer, Hagan, Hank, Hawkins, Wyatt Stamps, and Vivian Stamps; extended family and a host of friends.