You are a force of nature. Tall, statuesque, elegant, beautiful inside and out. You are an excellent musician, wife and mother. We love you, Joyce!
“Because my twin brother Royce was a gentleman,” Joyce said, “he allowed me to enter this world first on March 8, over 80 years ago here in Kanab. My parents, Clifton Young and Charlotte Heaton also had three other children.”
Joyce told me has she has been happily married to Larry Rhodes for nearly 62 years and together they raised one daughter and six sons who, according to her, are the light of her life. Family, church and music are Joyce’s first priorities.
When asked how her love for music started Joyce told me, “My mother’s example of music was a huge part of my life. We always had a piano. I never had to be told to practice. Our own daughter’s love for music has led her to earn a Doctorate Degree in music and is presently an Assistant Professor of Music at Utah Tech (Former Dixie State University) in St. George, Utah.”
When Joyce and her husband finished furnishing their home, they had planned to purchase a boat for him and piano for her. They never bought a boat. The piano is used nearly every day. “A boat? No doubt, it would have been sold years ago,” she added.
As life went on and the children were graciously growing, Joyce also made time to share her talent and to play dinner music at the Skilled Nursing Facility one hour a week for 30 years. The only exceptions were when she and Larry went to serve two missions together for The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Days Saints.
After the passing of Jeanine Johnson’s mother, Joyce was invited to take her place at the piano with the Baker Bunch. “I felt totally incapable and struggled to fill her shoes,” Joyce confessed. “I think of her often. Her remarkable talent … I hope she doesn’t mind if I try to keep up her gracious tradition,” she humbly said.
When asked about some of the greatest experiences of her life in the later years Joyce told us “It was when the 100th year of the reign of the Kanab’s All Women Town Council rolled around 2012-14. Our then mayor, Nina Laycook, gave me the privilege of portraying the Mayor Mary E. Wooley Chamberlain, along with council members, Linda Alderman (Louella), Nayna Christensen (Ada), Judy Habbashaw (Tamer) and Dicki Robinson (Blanche). We travelled the state reminding audiences of what women could accomplish when given the opportunity to serve. Our AWTC also performed at the capitol building for Governor Hebert and met Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State.” I am very impressed with all that Joyce and those amazing women have excelled and achieved.
Here is to you Mrs. Joyce Young Rhodes. Happy birthday gorgeous lady!! May your life always be beautiful and wholesome like the children you raised, the example your created and the music you play. Joyce, you are a gift.
