Joy A. (Trotter) Williamson

Joy A. Trotter Williamson, age 86 of Clifton, Tx passed away on April 22, 2021 after battling dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and osteo necrosis of the jaw. She was born on June 24, 1934 in Whitewright, Tx to Hugh and Lois Trotter. She began her musical career at the age of 13 years when she began conducting choirs in the summer with her grandfather, O.H. Garner, a Pastor in Paris, Tx. While attending Clifton High School, she continued growing in her musical talents playing the french horn in the band. After graduating from CHS in 1952, she attended Clifton Junior College prior to transferring to Baylor University where she pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon. She has touched the lives of hundreds of students as an Educator in Orange, Houston, El Paso, Ysleta, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Meridian and Clifton school districts for 45+ years of service with most of those as a Music Educator/Choral Director. As the Choral Director for Eastwood High School in El Paso, Tx, she was known as “Mama J”. She was more than an educator but truly cared about each student. In addition to her service in public schools, she also touched many lives through her years serving in music ministry at South Main Baptist (Houston,Tx), Biggs Field Chapel (El Paso, Tx), First Baptist (Carrollton, Tx), First Methodist (Meridian, Tx) and retired from First Presbyterian in Clifton, Tx.

Joy is survived by her daughters, Julie Arivett (David) of Round Rock, Tx; Janet Darr of Wylie, Tx; stepdaughter, Lucy Compton of Frisco, Tx; step son, Johnny Williamson (Melanie) of Austin, Tx; granddaughters, Emily Watson (Joel) of Little Elm, Tx, Lauren Darr (Jared Clardy) of Sherman, Tx; step grandsons, Michael Compton (Alyssa) of Prosper, Tx, Justin Duck of Austin, Tx, Travis Duck of Plano, Tx; great granddaughters, Lily Watson, Paisley and Harley Clardy and Adlee Compton; her brother, Hugh Trotter Jr. (Betty) of Anthony, New Mexico. She is preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Lois Trotter and husband, Ed Williamson.

A viewing will be held on Friday, April 30th from 9am - 3pm at Lawson Funeral Home located at 803 Main St, Meridian, Tx.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 1st at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church located at 211 S. Avenue G in Clifton, Tx followed by the final resting place at Clifton Memorial Park.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church in Clifton, Tx or Lutheran Sunset Ministries (Hope Center) in her honor.

Arrangements were made by Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792.