Joan Botts

After 99 years on Earth, Martha Joan (Bilyeu) Botts went to be with the Lord on November 7, 2024. Joan, (pronounced Jo-Ann) as she was called all of her life, lived a rich life, loved the Lord and loved her family. She will be missed terribly but we are comforted in the fact that she has joined our father and those family members who passed prior to her.

She was born February 22, 1925 in Stillwater, Okla., to Lee Isaac (Dock) Bilyeu and Julia Alfreda Ham Bilyeu. Joan was the sixth of six children and was preceded in death by brothers Casper and Winsel Bilyeu and sisters Alta Kirby, Bernice Maxine Bilyeu and Olive Pryor.

After graduation from Stillwater High School and becoming a telephone operator, she moved to Porterville Calif., where in 1947 she married Jack Botts. That union lasted 60 years until his passing on January 17, 2008. She also worked as a secretary at the First Congregational Church in Porterville, the IRS in Fresno, Calif., and Walmart in Stillwater.

Joan is survived by her three daughters, Julie Bennett (Bruce), Becky Crowl and Sara Martin (Michael). Grandchildren include Jennifer France (Lee), Heather Bennett, Erin Bryce (Bobby), Megan Bottoms (Ricci) and Reese Vaughan (Sarah). In addition, she is survived by 10 great grandchildren with another one due in January, and 10 great-great grandchildren. These grands will definitely miss their “Ninny” as she was affectionally called.

Lastly, the family would like to thank the Arbor House in Waco where she happily spent the last six years of her life, she adored the staff and residents there.