Joyce Allred Jenkins

Joyce Allred (Hanks) Jenkins peacefully left her earthly home on Saturday, November 5, 2022. She was just 5 weeks short of her 98th birthday!

Joyce was born on December 11, 1924 in Ogden, UT, to Harvey & Margaret Allred. Her dad, looking for work during the Great Depression, moved their family to Star Valley, WY when she was 5 years old, so most of her childhood was spent there: living first, at her grandpa’s farm in Fairview, then on to the “big city” of Afton, where she could attend high school. Joyce had 5 sisters and one brother. She graduated from Star Valley High School in 1943 after which she attended the LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, UT, graduating in 1945. This led her to a teaching position in Driggs, ID where she taught business classes at Teton Valley High School.

While teaching, she met her future husband, Clair S. Hanks who was from Tetonia, ID. They were married in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 4, 1947, moving up to Seattle, WA where he attended dental school at University of Washington. After Clair’s graduation, and finishing his tour of duty in the US Navy Dental Corps, they settled in Pocatello, Idaho where they raised five children.

Joyce came from a very musical family, so music was always an important part of her life. She was an accomplished pianist and had a beautiful voice. She loved singing in groups, and often conducted the music in her church. Mom was always singing in her home and to her children, instilling in them that same love for music. She also loved being a mother and a homemaker.

Religion was also an important part of Joyce’s life. Raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she served in many different capacities over the years, including teaching lessons and conducting music, as well as serving in various Ward and Stake leadership positions. Joyce always had a special passion for serving elderly people and frequently visited them. She was always a kind and thoughtful neighbor. She was a wonderful example to her children and to others in every way.

Joyce always had a love of genealogical research and family history. She was very proud of her Pioneer heritage and loved collecting and studying their life histories. She was an active member of the North Bannock County DUP (Daughters of Utah Pioneers) for many years, serving as President from 1976-1982.

Our mom loved family gatherings whether it be a wedding, graduation ceremony, birthday celebration, reception, family reunion, or even a funeral. She has always enjoyed being with family and has always loved being around other people. She could light up a room with her smile and charm, often working her way around a crowd of people, shaking hands and stopping to chat with every one of them! I’m sure she was thinking, “Oh, so many people, so little time!”

As her children grew older, Joyce became more involved in outside organizations. She served for 10 years as a 4-H leader, so that her two daughters could learn how to cook and sew. (As well as all the other girls in the neighborhood!) She enjoyed all kinds of needlework. Our mom was also the annual winner of the Hard Luck Trophy on her bowling league! She loved being a member of the league, especially the socializing part. (Just not the bowling part).

Joyce and Clair did quite a bit of traveling as well, visiting their children who had moved away, and touring in foreign places such as South America, Egypt and Thailand. She worked as Clair’s dental assistant for three different service trips when he was doing volunteer dental work in Thailand. They divorced in 1986, after 39 years of marriage.

Mom continued to stay involved. She served for many years as a volunteer for the Bannock Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Association, as well as leadership in the BRMC Auxiliary positions. She especially loved planning their fund-raising dinners for the hospital.

Joyce remarried in 1999 to Don Jenkins from Layton, UT and relocated to Utah. They served an LDS mission in the Manila, Philippines soon after they were married. Joyce and Don lived in Layton for 17 years, becoming a surrogate grandma to his grandchildren. For ten years they worked in the Ogden Temple. Don passed away in 2016.

After Don’s passing, Joyce moved back up to Idaho where she could be closer to family. She lived with her daughter, Renee in Pocatello until 2018, then moved to Quail Ridge Assisted Living where she remained for the last four years of her life. Here she met many dear friends and felt she was truly on a “mission”, ministering to all the other elderly people. Everyone, including staff members and aides loved her because she was always so cheerful and kind. Joyce had developed many health problems over the years, but she always remained positive. Her main concern was always the well-being of others.

Since the time Joyce moved to Pocatello she had survived many things. Our mother had lived through so many hardships during her long life, but was always a survivor. She passed away suddenly, while walking back to her room after visiting a friend downstairs. 

Joyce is survived by her 5 children, Renee (Roy) Lacey, Kevin (Barbara) Hanks, Maureen Hanks, Mitchel (Lynette) Hanks and Robert Von (Michelle) Hanks, 20 surviving grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great children. She was preceded in death by all but one of her siblings and 2 grandchildren.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Quail Ridge Assisted Living in Pocatello for their compassionate care for Joyce and her loved ones.

A viewing will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 6-8 pm at Wilks Colonial Chapel, 2005 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, ID. Services will be on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11 am at the LDS Church, 225 Oakwood Drive, Pocatello, Idaho with a viewing from 9:45 am to 10:45 am prior.

Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 2864 S. 5th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho.

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