Joyce Anderson Roberts

1939 - 2024

On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Joyce Anderson Roberts passed away after a sudden health issue. In her final hours she was awake and fully aware that her children, grandchildren, and her beloved dog Sadie were all at her side. We will be forever grateful for those last, precious moments with her.

Joyce was born November 23, 1939, in Afton, Wyoming to Cecil Peter Anderson and Erma Venter Anderson. She spent her younger years living on a small ranch in Grover, Wyoming where her older sister and younger brother were her only playmates. Joyce's father passed away when she was just 11 years old, and the family's life changed dramatically. They moved off the ranch to the nearby town of Afton to be closer to family. Her mother found work and the kids would babysit and do odd jobs to help with expenses.

Joyce graduated from Star Valley High School, class of 1958. Soon after graduation she moved to Salt Lake City to work and go to college. She lived with her older sister and a couple of other roommates and enjoyed her new life in the big city, while often returning home to Afton on weekends. She began dating a young man she had once been set up with back in Star Valley. She had previously written him off as too shy, but he had since learned to talk, and he finally won her over. On March 11, 1960, Joyce married the love of her life, Norris Roberts, in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. The couple resided in and around the Salt Lake City area, except for a year spent in Tacoma, Washington when Norris was called up by the National Guard.

In 1963, Joyce and Norris purchased their home in the Rose Park area of Salt Lake City. It was going to be their "starter home" but they loved the area and the people of Rose Park so much that they stayed, raised their four children, and made life-long friendships. A voracious reader, Joyce became a member of a neighborhood book club that started in the early 1970s and met almost monthly for over 40 years.

A life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joyce served in many callings throughout her life, including in the young women's program, on the activities committee, as the stake Sunday school secretary, and as relief society president.

Joyce was very creative and artistic, making clothing and unique Halloween costumes for her kids, as well as holiday decorations for her home. She loved decorating for the holidays, especially Christmas. She was a very involved parent and could be found cheering loudly at her kids' every sporting event, school program, or piano recital and she encouraged their every budding talent. Not having money for the piano lessons that she had so desired as a child, Joyce found a way to make it happen for her kids when they asked for music lessons. She loved her children and grandchildren deeply and unconditionally. We all felt it.

In the Spring of 2020, just after their 60th wedding anniversary, Joyce lost her dear husband, who had been battling a long illness. She had cared for him faithfully and lovingly as his health declined and she missed him immensely for the past four years. But her children rallied around her, and with their help, she was happy to be able to remain in the home that she loved until her last day.

Joyce is survived by her four children: Brad (Shauna) Roberts, Lorie Roberts (Cindy Hartung), Laniece Roberts (Chris Critchley), and Linda (Todd) Seegmiller; grandchildren: Michael (Katie), Heather, Holly, Ashley, Scott (Stacie), Josh, Nicole, Daniel, and Jonah; and great-grandchildren: Clara, Graham, Leo, and Collin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norris Roberts; parents, Cecil and Erma Anderson; sister, Kaylene Dalley; and brother, Boyd Anderson.

A viewing will be held at the Rose Park Stake Center – located at 760 North 1200 West in Salt Lake City, on Monday, March 18, 2024, from 6:00–8:00 pm. Funeral services will also be held at the Rose Park Stake Center on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 12:00 noon. Friends may call before the service from 11:00–11:40 am. Please wear red or your favorite Christmas sweater.

Interment will be held at the Afton City Cemetery in Afton, Wyoming.