Joy Runyon

Joy Marie Runyon, 87, of Earth, Texas, died Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Earth with Brother Jackie Gestes officiating. Interment will follow at Earth Memorial Cemetery under the care of Ramage Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the First Baptist Church.

Joy was born May 8, 1939, in Lazbuddie, Texas, to Leonard and Eula (Darling) Smith. She graduated from Lazbuddie High School and attended beautician school. On June 5, 1957, she married Donald Runyon.

Joy owned and operated Joy’s Beauty Salon in Earth for more than 30 years. Following Don’s passing in 1990, Joy took on the family farming operation while continuing to operate her beauty salon. She farmed and managed more than 1,200 acres for over 20 years. Joy was resilient, hardworking, and always willing to take on whatever needed to be done.

She was a talented quilter and painter and enjoyed expressing her creativity through art. She also enjoyed square dancing, taking care of her yard, and spending time with her grandchildren. Her family was especially important to her, and she loved her grandchildren and many bonus and chosen grandchildren dearly.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don Runyon; and five siblings.

She is survived by her son, Stan Runyon and wife, Regina, of Arlington, Tennessee; bonus son, Tony Keeth and wife, Janet, of Smyer; bonus daughter, Lisa Williams, of Bradenton, Florida; brother, Jerry Smith and wife, Donna, of Clovis, New Mexico; and sister, Kay Ann Handley of Lubbock. She was blessed with three grandchildren, Ben Runyon, Zach Runyon, and Reagan Runyon, as well as many bonus and chosen grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Children’s at donate.shrinerschildrens.org.