Joyce Ann Anthony

On February 8, 2025 our beloved Mom, Wife ,Grandma, Sister, and Auntie returned to our Creator in the early morning Holy hours. Joyce was surrounded by her family who all had unconditional love for her when she passed. 

On June 28, 1956 Joyce was born to Thomas Edward Armajo Sr. and Vivian Teton Armajo in Lander, Wyoming. Her paternal grandparents are Alfred Armajo and Edith Whiteplume. Maternal grandparents are Charles Edward Teton and Maria Washakie Teton. Joyce was an enrolled Member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe from the Wind River Reservation. She was a descendant of the Eastern Shoshone and Shoshone Bannock People. Joyce was the fourth child out of 14 children. Her siblings are Judy, Thomas, Harold, Ruth, Charles, John, Fred, Mary, Esther, Rebecca, Kenneth, Darwin and Jody. She had many younger siblings in which she had developed a strong love to help watch and care for.  Joyce grew up on the Wind River Reservation during her early Childhood before moving across The Teton mountains to Idaho. 

 Once in Idaho the family was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Where she was later baptized and participated in the Native American Placement program. She attended and graduated high school in Washington. While in her teens Joyce was active in 4H, volleyball, softball, basketball, and track (she loved to run long distance). She was in choir with her beautiful voice, you could always hear her sing her favorite jams. 

After graduation she attended BYU in Provo, Utah getting her major in MRS. During this time at BYU she met the love of her life, Leon Anthony. at a western theme dance. All it took was one dance and my dad had never let go of her hand. On summer breaks Leon would hitchhike to Idaho from Arizona carrying a watermelon for his future mother-in-law. They were sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Our mother, Joyce Ann Anthony, was the mother of all moms. She was so excited to become a mom. Our parents welcomed their first born, a girl, Yolanda Ann Anthony (Annie), on January 8, 1976. Annie took her time to come to this world. Annie was way overdue and arrived weeks after her due date. Her mother, Vivian Teton Armajo, walked with her all over old-town to see if Annie would come. Finally, she arrived, and mom was so happy she was a mother. 

Joyce was able to enjoy Annie for 13 short months and then her second baby came. Mom was so sure she was having a boy. She was told she was going to have a boy but on February 24, 1977, Tonia Allen Anthony was born. Mom had a name picked out; she was going to name her baby Todd Allen Anthony. So, mom quickly changed it to Tonia once they saw she was a little girl. This little baby was to carry her dad’s middle name of Leon, as well as her paternal grandpa’s middle name of Leland Allen Anthony. Mom was so happy to have two little girls so close together. She was always so excited to shop for them and to buy them everything she dreamed of them having. She mostly dressed the two girls as twins for most of their young lives. 

Joyce was happy to find out she was expecting again. On December 17, 1980, she and dad welcomed another baby girl. They named her Jessica Lynn Anthony. Jessica was the baby, and she came almost 4 years later. Mom and dad were complete with their 3 daughters. They were so happy to spoil their daughters and provide them with all their dreams.

Mom loved being a mother and she was there for her daughters for everything, and she also made sure her daughters learned everything. She made sure they had homemade sugar cookies for their class parties (x 3 daughters), and she made sure they had new dresses for their important school programs. Mom made sure they tried everything. She made sure her daughters played musical instruments and held high GPA’s as well as being involved with government roles. She wanted her daughters to succeed. Mom never gave up on her girls. She wanted to make sure her daughters had great jobs with great benefits. 

She always wanted the best for them. They were her everything. She loved them dearly and always made sure her girls were always taken care of no matter what. She taught all her daughters to cook, clean and be productive for themselves. Her most favorite time was when she and her daughters were all together.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 333 South Treaty Highway, Pocatello, ID 83202.  A viewing will be held prior beginning at 12:30 pm.  Burial will follow at the Lincoln Creek Cemetery, Little Indian Road, Blackfoot, ID.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be deeply grateful for any contributions to assist with Joyce's funeral expenses.  Thank you for your kindness and support.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Guestbook below.