Joye Lee Deardorff

Joye Lee Deardorff, 97, a retired school music administrator, peacefully completed her journey on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, in Fort Worth, TX from advanced years.Joye was born March 30, 1923, in McPherson, KS, the 10th of 12 children, to Nancy Belle Smith Deardorff and George Clarence Deardorff. She grew up in the Oklahoma panhandle on a wheat farm. Joye was driven by music and earned a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree in music.Joye’s interest in children fused with her musical passion. She taught music in the public schools, many church choirs and became the administrator of music for Burlington, IA. She lived in Salt Lake City and Chicago but she spent most of her life in Burlington. Her recreation was traveling in her camper over most of the US, visiting family and friends while refining her affection for lobster. She had a quick mind and was an avid reader. In retirement she followed her dream and bought a farm in Lomax, Illinois along the Mississippi River. She sold the farm after several floods and moved to Fort Worth, TX to be near her youngest brother, Don. She was a private person yet devout in her Episcopalian faith and always generous of her time to help others.Joye’s family wish to thank the devoted caregivers at Sunrise Assisted Living.Her sweet spirit is sorely missed here but now a singing and whistling angel for others. She will prepare a place for you when the time comes; in her own words, “Bye for now.”