Joy Leona Vandivort-Case

Joy Leona Vandivort-Case, 75, died peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2020 at home in Fredericksburg, VA with her family by her side.  She was born on September 16, 1944 in Mountain Grove, MO.           

Joy’s parents were Ira and Leona Vandivort. She was the youngest of three children (Jerry and Bobby). Her parents and brothers proceed her in death.  Joy was raised on the family dairy farm in Texas County, MO.  It was from modest beginnings in a Christian home and on the farm, where Joy established her work ethic and passion for service. 

Joy lived with her mother, father and brothers in a two-room farm house that had no indoor plumbing or electricity.  A spring house served as a refrigerator by using the cool running water from a spring to keep their food.  The home was heated with a wood stove.  Cooking was done on a wood fired cook stove.  The house was located on the bluff of Hamilton Creek which had clear water and was a source of food, recreation, and an occasional bath. The family dairy farm was self-sufficient. They raised most of the food on the farm or grew it in the family garden. Often, they had fish and wild game as well. Mom loved the outdoors and loved to fish. When Joy was in the 8th grade, the family built a new home on the upper ridge of the farm with all the modern conveniences.  It was then she had her own bedroom next door to a modern bathroom.  

Joy attended the first 8 years of her education in a one room school at the Oak Grove Elementary School.  Most of the days she would walk to and from school. Joy was a learner and loved to read. After graduating from the 8th grade at Oak Grove she went to Cabool High School, Cabool, MO and graduated in 1962.  As a student she excelled in her studies, especially to the Home Economics classes.  She was active in the Future Homemakers of America (FHA) and served a local chapter officer and a State Officer in the FHA.  She was also a Thespian and was recognized for her participation in the arts at the local, state and national levels.  

As a Christian family, she participated in church activities at the First Baptist Church, Cabool, MO.  It was at the age of 16 that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and baptized at the church. Jesus was always the light that she used to guide herself through life. 

During her childhood, she was exposed to home making practices from her family.  There were a lot of good cooks, especially her mother, in the family.  Family practices were to be self-sufficient and this included such things as making your own clothes.  Flour, sugar sacks and feed sacks supplied a lot of the material for clothes making.  These skills were learned at an early age and provided a solid foundation for future studies, and service throughout her life. 

After high school, Joy sought more ways to develop her gifts in college at the University of Missouri, Columbia. She was the first in the family graduate from college. At the university, she expanded her studies in food service and was active in many organizations. On June 7, 1966 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Degree. This was just the beginning of Joy’s amazing food service career. While at the university, she met the love of her life, Larry D. Case. Larry and Joy were united in marriage on June 18, 1966 at the First Baptist Church Cabool.  Joy used her talents to organize and plan her wedding. She even sewed her wedding dress. Joy and Larry were happily married for over 54 years.

Together, Joy and Larry began their marriage adventure in Orrick, MO. There, Joy continued to develop her career and love to serve by working as a child welfare worker for the MO State Welfare Department. Joy was active in the local church and sang in the Baptist choir. In 1969, Joy and Larry welcomed her first child, Jeffrey Dale into the world. Later in the summer of 1969, Joy and Larry continued the adventure and moved to Lexington, MO.  Joy continued to serve as she worked as a substitute teacher for the Lexington R-5 Public School, was active with the Young Farm wives and help with preparing and serving food at multiple functions in the First Baptist Church. 

It was 1973 in Lexington that they welcomed their daughter, Rebecca Joy.  As the journey of service continued, Joy and Larry moved to Jefferson City, MO in 1976. There, Joy was active in the local community organizations, scouts, local schools, served in the church in many capacities and was the Church Hostess for the First Baptist Church. It was 1981 in Jefferson City that they welcomed Matthew Edward, their third child. No matter where life lead her, Joy always found time to serve her Lord, family and community. Joy loved to help women feel better and see their beauty. So, she become a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and remained active in Mary Kay for many years.

This journey continued as the family ventured east to Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1984.  Joy continued her active service to the community.  She enjoyed being a band mom, FFA mom, FFA Alumni life member and being active in the church.  Joy, was an active member and deacon of the Fredericksburg Baptist Church. 

While at Fredericksburg Baptist, she continued her passion of hospitality by helping in the church kitchen.  She observed that there was a need to make feel people welcome in the church, so she helped establish a coffee cart on Sunday mornings.  The cart featured hot coffee and homemade goodies that she and other ladies in the church would make.  It proved to be a great success.  Joy was active in many missions including the prayer shaw mission, Mica ministries, Cradle Roll and as a Sunday school teacher. 

Joy lead the and managed the purchasing, preparation and serving the Fredericksburg Rotary Club breakfast every Wednesday for over 20 years.  When she retired, the Rotarians honored her by naming her as a “Paul Harris Fellow.”  The following inscription on the plaque conveys Joy’s selfless service “In appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among the peoples of the world.”

Joy had a heart of service and devoted her life to helping others feel welcome and loved.  She enjoyed preparing and serving food at several wedding receptions, anniversary receptions and special meal functions.   Joy showed us how to live and love just as Christ loves us in all that she did.  She will forever be remembered for showing us the love of homemade cooking, art of sewing, crocheting, quilting and love for recipes. To preserve many family recipes, she wrote a cookbook entitled “The Flowers Family Cookbook.”  Additionally, to assist in raising funds for the church at church, she complied a book of receipts entitled “Coffee Cart Eats.”  Joy loved to serve people.  

Joy is survived by her husband, Larry; son, Jeffrey Dale Case and wife (Chanda); daughter, Rebecca Joy Carter and husband (Mike); son; Matthew Edward Case and wife (Rebecca); grandkids, Riley Dale Case, Rachel Marie Case, Aaron Levi Carter, Annabelle Joy Carter, Evamarie Dorothy and Edward Ray Case;  Sister in law, Joyce Vandivort; Brother in law, David and wife (Sharon) Case; aunt to Jason Vandivort, Julie Vandivort, Michelle Hall, and Mike Case; niece of Edgar Rust, several great-nieces and great nephews; and many cousins. 

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, August 9 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A service will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, August 10 at Fredericksburg Baptist Church. To view the livestream service click the following link: http://youtu.be/qUoK2ZvikT0 Joy will be laid to rest in Union Cemetery in Cabool, MO near her childhood home. https://www.evansfh.com/obits

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: 

Fredericksburg Baptist Church- https://abundant.co/fredericksburgbc/give

Mary Washington Hospice- https://www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/Foundations/Mary-Washington-Hospice-Services.aspx

IPF Foundation- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis- https://ipffoundation.org/donate/

Larry and Joy Case Endowment- https://ffa.givenow.stratuslive.com/ffadonate