Joy McWhorter

Joy L. McWhorter, age 87, of Miltona, died Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at her home.

Memorial services are 1 p.m., Saturday, July 29, 2017, at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Pastor Kari van Wakeren officiating. Burial is at Evergreen Cemetery, Alexandria.

Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Friday, July 28, at the Lind Family Funeral Home in Miltona and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Joy LaDonna Martin was born August 12, 1929, to Wesley and Mathilda (Holmberg) Martin in Birchdale Township, Todd County. She was the fourteenth of sixteen children. Joy grew up in Birchdale and attended country school and graduated from Sauk Centre High School. Following her education, she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and worked for the American Burlington Bus Company for two years before moving back to Alexandria. Joy was united in marriage to Harlan Barros January 6, 1951, in Alexandria. They continued to make their home in Alexandria and raised five boys; Rory, Kim, Wayne, Kenneth, and Neil. Harlan died in 1972, and Joy continued living in Alexandria. Joy was united in marriage to Hugh McWhorter May 24, 1975, at the 1st Lutheran Church in Alexandria. They made their home in Miltona. After Joy’s children left home, she worked at 3M and Douglas County Hospital. Joy was known for her quilting as she enjoyed making and selling hundreds of quilts. She also enjoyed sewing and did custom work for others. Joy was active in her church group and also spent many hours volunteering visiting elderly at nursing homes. She loved  visiting with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harlan; 5 brothers; 7 sisters; grandson, Thomas Jefferson Barros.

Joy is survived by her husband, Hugh; five sons, Rory (Sandy) Barros of Florida, Kim (Rita) Barros of Alexandria, Wayne (Bonnie) of Motley, Kenneth (Raquel) of Farwell, and Neil Barros of Jackson; eight grandchildren, Christina (John) Nelson, Levi E. Barros, Jessica Ralien, Jacob (Katy) Barros, Laura (Josh) Voight, Kit Barros, Dusty Barros, and LaDonna Joy Barros; eight great-grandchildren, Brett (Rebecca) Nelson, Jolie Nelson, Kitra Barros, Lydia Nelson, Elijah Barros, Maverick Barros, Addy Barros, and Emma Voight; great-great-grandchild, Noah; three sisters, Enid Beck, Tam Christianson, and Gwendolyn Norby; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Urnbearer is Levi E. Barros. Honorary urnbearers are her grandchildren, Christina, Jessica, Jacob, Laura, Kit, Dusty, and LaDonna.