Obituary of Joyce Burford

Watch the Tribute Joyce Burford July 27, 1935 - March 13, 2015 Funeral services for Joyce Maxine Christy Burford, 79, formerly of Lovington, NM will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church in Lovington, NM with Pastor Dave Whitman officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 from 2pm to 8pm at Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mrs. Burford was born on July 27, 1935 on a farm near Wellston, Oklahoma to Charley Moses and Marie Elizabeth (Piepke) Christy and passed away on March 13, 2015 at her daughter’s home in Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas. She married William Hugh Burford in the First Methodist Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma on December 19, 1954. Mrs. Burford was the first of her graduating class of Oklahoma State University (formerly Oklahoma A&M) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics Education in 1957. She then went on to receive her certification in Library Science from West Texas State University. She was a world traveler with her husband throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, Israel, Peru, and Mexico. Many of these travels were in support of missions in Papua New Guinea, Peru, Indonesia, and the Philippines. She was a long time member of the PEO Sisterhood. She was always completely involved in the activities of her churches and in quietly meeting the needs of others. She was an avid student of scripture and led Bible studies wherever she lived. She was known for her friendly smile and her ability to center the attention on whomever she was speaking with. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by three sons: Steve Burford of Sandia Park, NM, Scott Burford of Lovington, NM, and Craig Burford of Franklin, Tennessee; one daughter: Christy Sanders of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX; two brothers: Charles Christy of Columbia, Missouri and James Christy of Riesel, Texas; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, PO 407 North Main, Lovington, NM 88260. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.