Joy L. Grubaugh-Richey

Joy Lavaun Grubaugh-Richey, 89, of Edwardsville, Ill., passed away peacefully at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, at Evelyn’s House in Creve Coeur, Mo.

She succumbed to injuries from a fall at her home two weeks before. She died 25 days short of her 90th birthday.

Joy was born in a small house in Ferguson, Mo., on Nov. 16, 1934, the daughter of Morris and Mae Sago. As a child she moved with her parents several times between homes and farms on both sides of the Mississippi River. She settled for good in Illinois in the late 1940s and graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1952.

She met her future husband, Harold, who was working weekends at his family’s tavern near Keyesport, Ill., where she became a waitress. They were married on Dec. 24, 1953, at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Antonia, Mo.

Their first residence was a cold-water apartment on Kansas Street in Edwardsville. They quickly moved to a home in the new Montclaire Subdivision, where they stayed the rest of their lives and raised their two sons. Harold died in June 1996.

Joy later married Warner Richey, of Edwardsville, in February 1999. Warner died in January 2010. Joy loved to tell people she had been married 50 years, if you counted both husbands.

Among survivors are: son Dennis Grubaugh and wife Sue, of Edwardsville; grandsons Robert Grubaugh, of Edwardsville, and Bryan Grubaugh and wife Julie of Knoxville, Tenn., and granddaughter Kimberly Stevens and husband Chris of Edwardsville; great-granddaughters Kinley and Karsyn Stevens of Edwardsville and Maggie and Heather Grubaugh of Knoxville; a nephew Terry Sago and wife Cheryl and family of Las Vegas; and many members of the Warner Richey family, including sons George (Karen), Geoff, and Tom (Martha), and daughter Mary Jo Barth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Tom, brother Leo Sago and sister Helen Taubold.

After raising her children, Joy worked many years as manager of The Fabric Store in Edwardsville, followed by several more years in the office at Kmart; and years more as receptionist for psychologist Dr. Patricia Stark. In retirement, she often said she wished she were still working.

Before her eyesight failed her, she was an extraordinary seamstress and made many outfits, including her future daughter-in-law’s wedding dress. She enjoyed reading, bowling, dancing, working in her yard and tending to a variety of pets, the last of which still survives, her little schnauzer Moe.

She was active in Leclaire Christian Church in Edwardsville and belonged to numerous organizations, including Edwardsville Moose Lodge 1561 and Homemakers Extension Association.

She was a thoughtful woman and never forgot the birthdays and special occasions involving her family and friends. She was equally quick-witted and plain spoken. Part Irish, part Scot, part French, part Cherokee (we think) and a whole lotta farm girl, she was a Joy to remember.

Visitation will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, with services beginning at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 28, both at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Edwardsville. Memorials may be made to Leclaire Christian Church in Edwardsville or to the Metro East Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed online at weberfuneralhome.com.

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