Joyce E Stratton, 86, a longtime Pullman resident, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2018 at Bishop Place in Pullman, WA. Joyce was born August 27, 1931 to Elmer C. Newman and Jessie Danielson in Potlatch, Idaho. She graduated from High school in Walla Walla, WA in 1949. She married Ward Stratton June 19, 1949 in Walla Walla.
Joyce and Ward moved to the location of Stratton's Drive-In Dairy in 1954, where they milked cows and raised their three children. In 1966, Joyce and Ward started the Drive-In Dairy where they sold milk, cream, eggs and cheese in the little store at the dairy. Many, many folks faithfully visited the dairy on a regular basis to pick up their supply of milk for the family. For many, it was a highlight to visit the farm, see the cows, and know that they were getting a fresh local product.
Joyce was an active member of the Pullman Baptist Church for many years. She loved to sing in the choir and was a member of the Church leadership. She was instrumental in bringing the annual Crop Walk to Pullman in the 1980s and ran the Crop Walk for several years. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels where she delivered meals to the home-bound. She had a strong interest in music and missionary work.
After retiring, Ward and Joyce were able to travel, visiting friends and relatives in the Northwest, as well as a trip to Missouri to meet distant relatives.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Ward, and by sisters, Jean Jack, Katy Stratton and Ethel Sanders.
She is survived by her children Wayne (Karen) Stratton of DeSmet, ID, Jim (Mary) Stratton of Longview, WA, and Sharon (Tom) Russell of Plainfield, IL. She has 6 grandchildren Toni Stratton, Kathi Pelinski, Cpt. William Russell, Kelly Hall, Elizabeth Stratton, and Michael Stratton. She has five great-grandchildren; Kairi Stratton, Ethan Pelinski, Dylan Pelinski, JoElle Russell, and Julianna Hall.
The memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Community Congregational Church, 525 NE Campus St., in Pullman, WA, with a reception immediately following. The family suggests memorial donations to Meals on Wheels. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA is caring for the family.