Joy A. Trotter Williamson

Joy A. Trotter Williamson, 86, of Clifton, passed away on April 22, 2021 after battling dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and osteonecrosis of the jaw.

She was born on June 24, 1934 in Whitewright 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 over 45 years of service, most of those as a Music Educator/Choral Director. As the Choral Director for Eastwood High School in El Paso, she was known as “Mama J”. She was more than an educator; she 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 in Houston, Biggs Field Chapel in El Paso, First Baptist in Carrollton, First Methodist in Meridian, and retired from First Presbyterian in Clifton.

Joy is survived by her daughters Julie Arivett (David) of Round Rock, Janet Darr of Wylie; stepdaughter Lucy Compton of Frisco; stepson Johnny Williamson (Melanie) of Austin; granddaughters Emily Watson (Joel) of Little Elm, Lauren Darr (Jared Clardy) of Sherman; step-grandsons Michael Compton (Alyssa) of Prosper, Justin Duck of Austin, Travis Duck of Plano; 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 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lawson Funeral Home located at 803 Main St, Meridian, Tx.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 1st at 2 p.m. 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 or Lutheran Sunset Ministries (Hope Center) in her honor.

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