Sunday, June 1, 2025

Joy Torno Miller's Funeral

Julie and I attended the funeral service for Joy Torno Miller recently. We didn’t know either of them very well but we knew their families.
I used to do cattle work for Warren’s dad, Nelson Miller, on their home place where Warren lives now in Papalote, Texas. I also worked cattle for Warren’s uncle Edwin Miller. In fact Edwin told me one time that during the depression sometimes their meals consisted of Grasshoppers. Hard times. Anyway, two true south Texas families.
I bought some land in Papalote because I liked the area so much. I go out once a week to clear brush, work on fence, drive tractors, etc. And every time I go out I drive past Warren and Joy’s home. I got to where I would call Warren as I went out and visit with him. Invariably Joy would be in the conversation on speaker phone. I began to realize how much they liked people. Sometimes Warren and Joy would drive their golf cart out to my place and visit.
Joy’s health has not been great for sometime but still she would get out in the South Texas heat to come visit and never complained about her health. I worried about her a little bit. But she wasn’t a complainer.
I learned a lot more at the funeral. Warren said that on their second date he brought up the subject of marriage and Joy “penciled” him in to see what he would make of himself. After their only child, Keith, was born she told Warren if he wanted anymore kids he would have to deliver them.
See what I mean about sense of humor? My kind of people.
Joy was the second oldest of 5 kids behind her older brother Ray. Often times that oldest daughter becomes like another mother… and she was.
The youngest was my friend Tim Torno. When he was born Joy was 8 years old and immediately took him under her wings. He said Joy included him in everything including her circle of friends. She made him feel special and loved. Tim said he has never known anyone as hospitable as his oldest sister and he’s no pilgrim. He has served as an Elder for many years.
Older brother Ray said in High School when he would get home late from a football game or running track everyone would be in bed except Joy. She would wait up for him and have a plate of food on the kitchen table and listen to him recount what happened in the games. Ray said it was a tradition that Sinton football players would be walked out on the field by one of the girls. Years later he found out Joy had recruited girls to walk out with her big brother.
You can imagine what Keith’s life was like having all that “mothering” focused on him.
Food was big in Joy’s life and she had a knack for figuring out what someone’s favorite food was and preparing that for them. I wish i had known.
These last few years I would consistently see that Joy was in the emergency room or in the hospital. Whenever I would talk to Warren they were either going to the doctor or just coming home from the doctor. That takes a toll not only on the sick one but on the husband of the sick one. In fact at the service… Ray mentioned the quiet dedication Warren had to Joy.
I’m glad I went to the funeral because I learned so much from these two great life examples, Warren and Joy. And if someone had offered me a thousand dollars not to go I would have laughed in their face. Priceless enduring memories for as long as I have the capacity to remember.
Thanks Warren and Joy the world needs more people like you.

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