February 27, 1937 – January 23, 2016
Joyce Murdock Dotson was born in Heber City, Utah, Feb. 27, 1937, to Dean and Helen Murdock. She passed away peacefully Jan. 23, 2016, in St. George, Utah.
Joyce spent her childhood days in Heber and her adolescence in Orem. After she graduated from Orem High School in 1955 (with straight A’s), she attended Brigham Young University.
There she met her future husband, Larry Dotson, at a mat dance. She waited patiently for two years while he served an LDS mission and upon his return, they were married in the Manti Temple in 1958.
Joyce loved to travel and has been to many countries; she even lived in France for two years in their early marriage. Joyce and Larry also lived in California and Utah and spent seventeen years in Ashland, Oregon, and one year in Tonga before settling in Panaca, Nevada, in 1987.
Joyce had many talents. She always made everything beautiful and did everything with perfection. She loved to cook and read, and many were blessed by her musical talents as an organ player in church for more than sixty years. Joyce played the piano and accompanied choirs, individuals, church gatherings of all kinds, special events and musical productions, more than anyone could count.
Surely, she gave her gifts freely! She was also very classy and loved nice things. She loved to shop and buy new possessions for her children and grandchildren. She was truly a giver.
Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Randy, in 1991.
She is survived by her sweetheart, Larry; daughters, Shana Clanton and Alana Miner; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m., at the LDS Church in Panaca, Nevada.
- A viewing prior to the service will be held 1-1:45 p.m. for the family to greet friends.
Friends and family are invited to share condolences online.
Arrangements and memorial tree planting have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-2085.