Joy L. Rankin

January 5, 1972 – April 3, 2024

Joy- a state of happiness – a source of delight.

Joy completely lived up to her name and it couldn’t have been more fitting for the person that she was, how she made people feel around her, and the memories that she leaves behind.

Growing up, Joy was nothing but an easy child. She was her mothers helper, dad’s angel, and Jill’s big sister. Her childhood was filled with lots of love, laughter and family. Her summers spent at her  grandmas house were the highlight. She loved playing endlessly in the backyard, climbing the big trees, riding bikes with Jill, daily competitive yahtzee games with grandma and the excitement of going on Uncle Paul’s motorcycle at high speeds, that mom had no idea about!

Joy graduated from McClatchy high school in 1991. After graduation she worked at Capital Nursery with her mom, and it always meant so much to her that she got to be there with her. Family was everything to her and she was always so proud to say “that’s my mom”.

Soon afterwards, Joy got hired at Raley’s where she got to work with her next favorite girl, Jill. Joy worked for Raley’s for over 20 years.She enjoyed getting to see all her favorite people from the neighborhood and making their days. She had a way about her that just made you feel really good when you were in her presence and she always left you with a smile.

You would never have known by the way Joy carried herself, how much heart break she had endured through the years with her health struggles. Joy was a fierce warrior and one of the bravest ever to be on this earth. Diagnosed at the age of 25 with kidney failure, she began a long hard fought battle. Through the years, Joy had countless dialysis treatments, open heart surgery, an amputation, and thousand of needle pricks. It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t a reality Joy deserved. But Joy, being Joy never gave in to the anger and the unfairness, instead she rose above it all and showed the world what a true angel warrior looks like. She made lemonade out of lemons. Her strong drive to fight was the love of her family and friends.

Joy was a bit of a legend in her neighborhood, she was known as scooter girl. You could usually catch her zipping down to Raleys most days on her scooter. In fact, she was known for her high speed and always told the cops to try and catch her! She had a a great sense of humor and her timing was always spot on. She loved filling up her facebook feed with silly humorous stories, that made everyone’s day.

Joy loved her parents dearly and was everything a loving daughter should be and more. She loved getting to spend time in Tahoe with them, enjoying a good poker machine, cruising through the pines, but most importantly just being with them. She was a tremendous help and blessing to them. Even with all her health struggles she always wanted to keep her independence and do her part, and she did. When her beloved father passed away, it really left a hole in her heart.  She missed him dearly and found every way she could to keep honoring him and his memory. She was her mothers rock at home to get her through the devastating loss. She was always there for her to be the shoulder to cry on, the one to pick up the pieces, and the one to pour her mom a much needed glass of wine. Their  mother and daughter bond is stronger than steel and one that is never ending.

Joy was a sister and a damn good one! She was the proudest, most loving, and caring sister. Their strong loving sister bond was clear to all that met them. There was no Joy without Jill and no Jill without Joy. Best friends from day one and always and forever. Joys final text to Jill was “Thanks JIll, I love you and you mean the world to me’”…..words that will forever be embeded in Jill’s heart and a constant reminder of how Joy always put others first even when she was going through her trials.

Samantha and Dominic, Joys proudest moments were being your aunt. She never missed a birthday, holiday, or special occasion to let you know how much she loved you. You meant the world to her and she loved watching you two grow up. She was there for all of it and was so proud!

One of Joy’s great loves was her little weenie dog, Lulu. She loved having that connection with her little fur baby and Lulu brought a lot of love and happiness to her. Joy was also a music lover and enjoyed going to concerts, it gave her so much joy having a concert to look forward to.

Joy was loved by many and has left a permanent mark on many hearts. Today as we all come together to pay our heartfelt condolences for the loss of a dear friend, beloved daughter, amazing sister, wonderful sister in law,  supportive aunt, loving niece, and caring cousin. Knowing that Joy has now joined her father in heaven has got to bring us all some peace. Can you just imagine them reuniting in heaven? I can see both of them reaching out to one another while Annie & Frankie are barking their way to see Joy once again. Joy is no longer and pain. She is at peace with the Lord, her father, grandparents, and a couple of weenies.

We all know how much Joy loved her Golden Girls. So today I think Joy would agree that we all should…Live like Rose..Dress like Blanche….Think like Dorthy… and Speak like Sophia…

Joy you were one hell of a golden girl, we love and miss you …..and thank you for being a friend!