Joy O'Pry

Mrs. O'Pry passed away on October 7, 2021, in Houston, Texas. She was born on June 15, 1935, in Mesquite, Texas. Graveside services for Joy O'Pry, 86, of Garrison, will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at Bethel Cemetery with Bro. Curtis Barbarick officiating. 

Mrs. O’Pry grew up in the Mesquite area and attended Mesquite High School. While attending Mesquite High School she met her future husband, Arthur Floyd O’Pry. It was during her prestigious senior year, they became one in marriage. Their marriage lasted from August 8th, 1953 to August 25th, 2018. Mr. and Mrs. O’Pry’s marriage survived life’s many trials and hardships, including the loss of two babies at birth. Even through these trials, Mr. and Mrs. O’Pry lived happily together for 65 years. Joy was an exceptional mother of her son, daughter, and a nephew she raised as her own.

Joy had a knack for music which played a large roll in her life. From her early years of playing French horn to her later years spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was surrounded by music. Her life was enveloped by soundtracks of her favorite musicians like the Gaithers and Danny O’Donnell. Joy not only enjoyed music. She loved flowers of all kinds, especially Day Lillies and was an avid hummingbird watcher.

The most important part of Joy’s life was her family and friends. She was an excellent seamstress and loved to crochet and made a plethora of quilts. With these skills, she made two special dresses that all the granddaughters and great granddaughters have been honored to wear. She also enjoyed cooking and was known for making delectable homemade ice cream and irresistible chocolate cakes served with butter on top. To Joy’s grandchildren, she was known as “Nonnie”. Joy looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren at every possible moment. Not only did she look forward to spending time with them, but they wanted to spend time with her as well. Joy spent many evenings in her rocking chair, and it wasn’t an uncommon sight to see her grandchildren asleep in her comforting lap. Every year, Joy and her grandchildren enjoyed picking dewberries. Joy’s family could always count on her to attend camping trips at Palo Duro Canyon State Park and attend the annual family Thanksgiving dinner at Inks Lake State Park. One of Joy’s highlight moments was her vacations to Colorado with her loving family. It is memories such as these that Joy’s family will always hold dear to their heart.

Joy is survived by her sons, Arthur “Art, Jr.” Floyd O’Pry, Jr. and wife, Angela, and Allen O’Pry and wife, Kimberly; daughter, Teresa Skinner and husband, Ray; grandchildren, Shannon Holton and husband, Joey, Allison Simpson and husband, Bryan, Kelli Skinner Pope and husband, Charles, Rachael Hawkins, Angelica O’Pry, Elizabeth O’Pry, Jessica O’Pry, Hannah O’Pry, and Austin O’Pry; and great-grandchildren, Len Holton, Johnathan Simpson, James Simpson, Josh Simpson, Draik Hickok, Reagan O’Malley, Devyn Pope, and Savannah Berkman.

Joy is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur O’Pry, Sr.; parents, Arten Ambrose Driggars and Mary Ellen Berry Driggars; grandson, Christopher Moen; brother, Barry Driggars; and sisters, Rose Vance and Lois Jones.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Austin O’Pry, Len Holton, Johnathan Simpson, James Simpson, Josh Simpson, and Draik Hickok.

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