Joy Denny

Joy Denny made the world’s best pecan pie. Yes, she accomplished many other things, but the quality of her pecan pie cannot be overstated. 

Carolyn “Joy” Brothers Denny was born on October 15, 1939. She was known for her warmth, generosity, loving spirit, traditional values, and, yes, her uncensored comments. She brought all of her talents into the world through the beautiful twinkle in her eyes. Joy grew up in Mercedes, Texas, with her parents and four siblings. This is where she learned to love baking, cooking, and sewing, and where she became a second mom to her younger siblings. In her free time, she was a drum major for the Mercedes High School Fighting Tigers. 

Hers was a lifetime love story and a life well-lived. Once upon a time, there was a young grease monkey working at a gas station in Ennis, Texas, when a car full of girls drove up for gas. While that may have been their first sighting of each other, it was not their last. You see, there was a certain young girl in that car visiting family—a girl the young man had never seen before. During her next visit to the gas station, she ran into the store and left her key ring, with her address on it, in plain sight in the car for the young man to see. It all started with a letter written to that young girl, and soon the two were making plans for her to join him at North Texas University. Once she did, that was all she wrote, as they say. They spent every day of the next year together until they were married in 1960. From that point on, they celebrated 64 anniversaries, lived a life, and built a family, all while putting each other first. 

In Joy’s sparkling eyes, there was nothing more valuable than family—no better investment of one’s time. She was a homemaker and a family maker. She chose the nurturing and raising of her children over any career. It was only when that job was complete that Joy pursued personal interests or a career. Her career began at K.C. Browne Plant Brokerage Company in Waxahachie, where she was the bookkeeper for almost a decade. Next, she joined the staff at Midway Park General Hospital in Lancaster, Texas, where she worked for 15 years as a medical credentialing specialist, helping doctors obtain admitting privileges to improve patient care. In this role, she was recognized by the Texas Society for Medical Staff Services as a director from 1999 to 2003. She retired from this job in 2003 and joined Jack in loving the country life in Italy, Texas. 

Joy was a doer. If you wanted something done, everyone knew Joy would help take care of it! When the family lived in Louisiana and her daughter was in dance, she not only made Julie’s recital costume but also costumes for other children whose mothers could not sew. She was a leader in the 4-H community when her children were in school. In that capacity, she received a Distinguished Volunteer Award and the Lovada Ellis Memorial Award for Leadership. Through this, she taught Julie to sew, cook, speak publicly, and raise rabbits for show. Later in life, after her children had left home, Joy didn’t sit still. She served actively in her church, participating in various committees and Bible studies to deepen her relationship with God. She also volunteered at The Rainbow Room and Children’s Protective Services. Helping children, whether her own or others, was a constant in her life. 

Joy was also blessed with a green thumb and took pride in the beautiful gardens that adorned her yard, as well as the many plants and flowers that brightened her home. When she and Jack moved to Italy, Texas, to build their dream home, Joy imagined and drew the plans for every nook and cranny, bringing their vision to life. From this home, she began to fully enjoy the country life. Not only did Joy love children, she loved animals. Her children lovingly referred to her as the “crazy chicken lady” because of her devotion to her chickens. She also loved goats and kept a small herd, including many babies she enjoyed bottle-feeding. Jack also had a donkey and cows, and Joy always cherished the babies the most. Over the years, she cared for multiple cats and dogs and often tried to talk Jack into getting more animals like alpacas and llamas. 

Her life with Jack was blessed with lots of travel, including many worldwide vacations to places like New Zealand, Italy, Fiji, Australia, Nova Scotia, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, and Newfoundland, as well as closer destinations like Alaska and Hawaii. Jack and Joy also loved traveling this country in their RV, exploring beautiful areas from the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah to the Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina, as well as numerous scenic Texas parks. 

Joy will be lovingly remembered by her husband and love of her life, Jack, with whom she recently celebrated 64 years of marriage, as well as her son, Kenneth Denny; her daughter, Julie Denny; and her daughter-in-law, Molly Denny. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren who love and cherish her dearly: Drew Doss, Jessica Denny, Rylan Denny, Paige Taylor, Emily Denny, Mia Taylor, and Emily Taylor. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Ralph Denny, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Joy was the oldest of five children. She loved and was loved by all her siblings. She leaves behind one sister, Brenda Hooks of Hillister, Texas, and one brother, Ray Brothers of Winchester, Texas. She is joined in rest by her parents, Jesse and Helen Brothers, as well as her two brothers, Jesse Allen Brothers and John Harris Brothers. 

On December 6, 2024, Joy gracefully joined her Heavenly Father, surrounded by the love she had nurtured all her life. Joy’s immediate family was blessed to spend her final two weeks reminiscing and cherishing all the special moments that made life with Joy such a precious, uncensored adventure. There is no doubt that Jack said it best as he kissed her forehead for the final time, “I love you. Thank-you for the ride.”

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church located at 505 West Marvin Avenue in Waxahachie, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Waxahachie Care.