Joy Darnell (Wright) Bird-Hines

Funeral services for Joy Darnell Bird Hines, 83, of Nacogdoches will be held at 10:00am on Friday, April 10, 2026 at Laird Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Laird Funeral Home.

Joy Darnell Wright was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on February 25, 1943, and left her physical body behind to be reunited with all of her loved ones awaiting her arrival at the gates of Heaven on April 6, 2026, at her home in Nacogdoches, Texas, surrounded by her loving family. She gave us the final gift of spending one last Easter with her, and for that we will be forever thankful.

Joy was preceded in death by her father, Claytor Arliss Wright, her mother, Divillian Scroggins Wright, her husband Donald M. Bird, with whom she shared thirty-eight years of marriage, and her second husband, James W. Hines, with whom she shared twenty-three years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas David Wright and James LaRue Wright.

She is survived by two daughters, Donna Matheny and spouse Kevin, Sandra York and spouse Carl; five grandchildren: Jaci Windham and spouse Brent, Cody Matheny and spouse Jordan, Casey Still and spouse Emily, Ewing Greenhill and spouse Hanna, and Abigail Joy Lynn York. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Emeri Rose Windham, Averi Grace Windham, Barrett Velt Windham, Elvira Jean Still, Amos Lee Still, and Baby Leo Greenhill, due May 2026; three brothers, Carl Wayne Wright and spouse Helen, C. A. “Cutter” Wright, and Arthur Wayne “A. W.” Wright and spouse Donna; two sisters-in-law from her first marriage, Mary Ann Bird and Sue Grimes and spouse Norman; and a great many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved her very much.

Joy was well-known as the glue that held her family together and the caretaker of any and all loved ones. Joy was a dedicated business professional, working in the banking industry for many years, beginning as a teller in the late 1960s and ending her banking career as a Vice President. After retiring from banking, Joy enjoyed a second career in the oil and gas industry, working in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Joy enjoyed reading, fishing, hunting, going to auctions and “treasure hunting,” and spending time at the cabin she built with the help of her brothers and family members in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado. She was a member of Wakefield Baptist Church in Corrigan, Texas. Joy’s greatest legacy is the family she leaves behind and the many precious memories we will all hold dear.

The family would like to thank Harbor Hospice for the amazing care provided to our mother and grandmother these last few months, especially Tracey and Sasha.​​

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joy Darnell (Wright) Bird-Hines, please visit our floral store.