Phyllis Joy Gardiner

Phyllis Joy Gardiner, 89, of Port Neches, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015 peacefully in her home. Those who knew and loved her called her Joy. She was born on April 12, 1926, in Nutley, New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Gardiner, parents, Ross Young and Ruth MacKay Young, a brother, Jack Young, and a twin sister, Marilyn Young. She lived in Port Neches with her husband, Harry, since 1948, and she was his devoted wife for 70 years. Joy is survived by three daughters, Marilyn Gardiner Uptmor and husband, Max, Sherry Varner and husband, David, and Leslie Symmonds and husband, Jon; sister-in-law, Glenna Grimmer and husband, George; nine grandchildren, Aaron Varner, Valerie Mourot and husband, Jordan, Ross Varner, Michael Varner, Colin Varner, Heather Imhoff, Holly Imhoff, Devin Symmonds, and Dustin Symmonds; five great-grandchildren, Jake Mourot, Everett Mourot, London Symmonds, Josie Symmonds, and Cambria Symmonds; and nephews and nieces. Joy was a devoted homemaker and mother. She was elected president of the class in secondary school. She worked as a secretary at Gulf Oil Company when they were first married and was chosen as their "Parade Queen." She was also once chosen as Rotary Club's Port Neches Citizen of the Month. Joy was active in the Line Steppers as a dancer and instructor. This group performed for various organizations and nursing homes. She loved animals and often adopted strays. She and Harry were members of the First United Methodist Church for 60 years. Joy was an accomplished artist who loved drawing portraits. Several of her sketches, which she drew for her daughter when her daughter was in the PN-G Indianettes, have been used as the logo on most of the Indianette T-shirts, uniforms, bags, etc., since the 1970's. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 24, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Port Neches with Dr. Wesley Welborn officiating under the direction of Levingston Funeral Home Port Neches. The family greatly thanks all the medical personnel and the caregivers who provided Joy with such special care. Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to the Alzheimer's Association, 700 North Street, Beaumont, TX 77701, (409)833-1613; and/or the Humane Society-Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Ave, Beaumont, TX 77705, (409)833-0504.