Joyce Edris Craig, 82, a lifetime resident of the Willapa Valley, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at the Willapa Harbor Hospital in South Bend, Washington.
Joyce was born on Aug. 6, 1941, at the South Bend General Hospital to Edward and Emma (Steudler) Camenzind. She graduated from Willapa Valley School in 1959. On Sept. 24, 1960, she married Richard “Dick” Allen Craig.
Joyce was a third generation dairy farmer. With her husband, Dick, she raised their daughters on the same dairy farm in Holcomb where her parents raised her. They earned many awards, including the 1969 Pacific County Dairy Family of the Year. She was very proud that the farm is now being operated by the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the family.
She graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in education in 1964. She worked for the Pacific County Public Utility District in the education department from 1966 until 1978. She worked in the schools in the county, demonstrating electrical appliances and safety, and also worked on the gold medallion program.
She was an integral part of many young women’s special moments, by altering and constructing many wedding, bridesmaids and prom dresses. She also worked as a wedding coordinator for many weddings over the years. She never charged for any of her services, stating that “sewing is a hobby and you do not charge for a hobby”.
Joyce loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed meal prep, baking, trying new recipes, yard work and traveling. She also was a food and sewing judge at many events.
Joyce was a member of the Lewis Pacific Swiss Society, Washington State Dairy Women, Lebam Community Church, and lifetime association with 4-H. She served for over 20 years on the Pacific County Advisory Board for Harbor Home Health and as a helper with Sunday Afternoon Live. She spent countless hours volunteering and supporting the Pacific County Fair.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and sister, Alice Bakke.
She is survived by her sister, Lois Burkhalter, of Rosburg; daughters, Lori (Mark) Ashley, of Lebam, and Lana (Terry) Smaciarz, of Holcomb; her grandchildren, Richard Ashley, Craig Ashley, Andrea (Gus) Evers, Abby (Chris) Jansen, Alicia (Chase) McCarthy and Adam (Kaitlyn) Smaciarz; five great-grandchildren; and special friend, John Aegerter.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Lebam Community Church, with a reception to follow in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Willapa Valley Alumni Scholarship, Lebam Community Church and the Lewis Pacific Swiss Society.
