Joy Kathleen (Watkins) Searcy, age 83, of De Leon, Texas, died Monday, April 22, 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas, in a hospital, surrounded by family and friends.

Joy Searcy was born to John Estelle Casstevens and Katie May Stone Casstevens in Fort Worth, Texas on December 18, 1935. She was a wonderful, beloved fourth grade teacher for more than 27 years in Austin, Texas and in Fort Worth, Texas. She also specialized in gifted and talented students. She grew up in Trinity Park where the Fort Worth Botanical Garden is today since her father was the Vice Superintendent of Fort Worth Parks and Recreation. She was the editor, executive secretary, trophy chairman for the nationals, and national secretary of the American Brittany Club national magazine for many years and was very active with field trials. She and her first husband, Jerry Watkins, started the Fort Worth Brittany Club so that they would have more trials to attend. She was inducted into the Brittany Field Trial Hall of Fame in Booneville, Arkansas for her contributions to the sport of field trialing. She loved to go camping with her husband, Ronald Searcy, in their motor home and was the member of two camping clubs, state Recording Secretary for Texas Camping Association and President of State Retiree Chapter 89. She moved to Aledo, Texas and has also lived in Joshua, Texas before moving to De Leon, Texas in 2010 where she lived out the rest of her life. She really enjoyed living in De Leon because she was welcomed so warmly by the community and because it has Christian values like when she grew up. She attended Northside Baptist Church in De Leon, Texas, where she served as church clerk for several years. Her favorite activities were oil painting, playing games, bird watching, and ministry at the Senior Center. She said that her friends made her life full and happy.

Joy was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Charles Searcy, of 9 years of happy marriage. They enjoyed traveling with friends in RV clubs. Joy is survived by her cherished brother, David John Casstevens, and his wife Elaine Casstevens of Dublin, Texas. Joy and her first husband, Jerry Rupert Watkins, had 3 beautiful children. Her daughter, Joy Kathleen Watkins, is currently residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her son, Jerry R. Watkins II, and grandsons, Jerry R. Watkins III, Randall Watkins, and their mother, Carla. Joy was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Debra Jean Craig, whose sons, Chase Bret Craig and Kirk Bret Craig are currently living in the Houston, Texas area. She was also survived by many friends.

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Northside Church (1125 North Texas Street, De Leon 76444) with Brother Heath Sylva and Brother Lanny Spruill officiating. Graveside services were held Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Annetta Cemetery (2667 W FM 5, Annetta, Texas 76008). If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Northside Baptist Church, in memory of Joy.