Joy Simmons Henderson

We are saddened to share that our mother, Joy Simmons Henderson, passed away on Sunday June 16th, 2024. She was at home with her husband of 52 years, John Marshel Henderson and her children and siblings at her side on a beautiful spring day, her young grandchildren playing in the yard outside her window.

Joy was born on December 20, 1953, in Monroe, Louisiana, to Donald Emmanuel Simmons and Laura Flournoy Simmons. Joy lived the promise of her name with a warm smile, kind words, and hugs freely offered to anyone in her presence.

Joy grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and attended the First Church of Christ Scientists with her older sister Mary F. Simmons, and younger brother Robert A. Simmons. At that church they met the Henderson family, and Joy grew up in Sunday school with John Henderson, who she later would marry.

Joy graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1971, and one year later married John. Joy obtained a bachelor of science degree from Louisiana State University College of Education in 1974.

Their first child, Marshel Andrew Henderson, was born in 1974 in Dallas, Texas. Michael E. was born two years later in Dallas, Texas in 1976.

The family moved to Royal Oak Michigan where John and Joy were teachers at the private Japhet School. In 1981, the family endured the passing of Marshel. Soon after the family moved to Littleton, Co.

In 1983 their first daughter, Carrie L., was born. Around the same time Joy opened an in-home pre-school in the family's basement that served a number of families with not just daycare, but structured early childhood education. This was Joy's true passion and from that point she never stopped caring for children and fostering in them a love for reading. Callie R. was born in 1986 shortly before the family moved to Bakersfield, California.

Joy always had a clear mission in life to be an educator, so she registered as a graduate student at California State University Bakersfield. She worked as a student teacher, attended classes and completed graduate coursework, all with three school-aged children. She graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Education-Curriculum and Instruction in 1990 and began her career teaching in the Greenfield School District in rural Bakersfield, CA.

Joy taught kindergarten, 1st grade and 6th grade as well as being a mentor teacher and university professor towards the end of her career.

When Joy retired from professional teaching in 2012, Joy and John moved to Reno, Nevada. Michael, Carrie and Callie had moved there in the early 2000's.

Joy quickly took on the role of preschool teacher to her 2-year-old grandsons, Elliott Bushá and Bowie Henderson, both born in 2010.

For the the rest of her life Joy continued to care for and teach her grandchildren reading, writing and basic preschool lessons. Joy again made bespoke lesson materials for each child, including flash cards, books, posters, custom games and lessons, saving many as mementos of her time with each of them. Nash Henderson came into her care in 2014, Emma McCartney in 2018, Dana McCartney in 2021 and Zoey McCartney in 2024.

In Reno Joy began new adventures in the mountains around Lake Tahoe. She was an avid hiker, heading out on early morning hikes from nearby trails with her friends, snapping photos of wildflowers and plants, and tracking her adventures on Strava and posting selfies to the families shared photo album.

She cultivated friendships readily and happily with her cheerful, welcoming presence. She would approach strangers at trailheads, around the neighborhood, at the library or when meeting the parents of her children's friends. Once a new potential hiking or cycling friend was identified it was unlikely she would let the opportunity to add them to her list of adventure partners slip by.

Joy began road and mountain biking in her retirement and never stopped striving to develop skills and strength on the trails and hills around her home. Her social calendar was ever full of riding days with family and friends.

Chief among her adventure companions was husband. John was her patient companion on hiking and cycling outings, encouraging her sometimes slow and shaky wanderings, and staying by her side as they both reached their goal, and then found their way back to the trailhead.

In 2023 Joy spearheaded a trip to Kauai, Hawaii, which was a lifelong dream of hers. Joy loved spending time with everyone on the beach, in warm water, hiking the rugged trails of the Na Pali coast and paddling the serene Wailua river.

Her greatest joy in life came from outdoor adventures with her family, including all the grandchildren. For her last great trip she and John traveled to Moab, Utah with their children's families, including 5 grandchildren, for a week of mountain biking, hiking and exploring.

Joy is survived by her husband John, son Michael, daughters Carrie Bushá, and Callie, and her 6 beloved grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Galena Creek Park in Reno, NV on September 15th 2024.