Joyce Elaine Boise Pridemore Hicks
Dec. 30, 1939 ~ July 26, 2018
Joyce was born to Arthur and Winell Boise in Cripple Creek, Colo. Her dad was working in the gold mines there, but had a crooked boss, so he moved his family back to Montana. They lived and worked in Butte, Mont., until Joyce’s grandfather got sick. So in January of 1942 they moved back to the ranch. Joyce was only two at the time and had been in town for her whole life. And coming to the country was a big change. But once she got over being scared of everything, you couldn’t get her to come back inside. She loved riding her horses. Each morning before going to school and each night after school, she would go out to get the cows they had to milk.
She always loved her animals. Her dogs, horses, cows, chickens, ducks. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, just to be outside to enjoy what the good Lord blessed her with.
Growing up she went through the Meeker school system. She had her fun throughout her time there. But in 1958 she graduated and was ready to start her new life. She had a friend who lived in Cortez, Colo. She wanted to experience new things. So she left for Cortez not knowing what to expect. She was able to find a job working as a dispatcher for a taxi cab company. That’s where she met the love of her life Floyd Pridemore, who worked as a taxi driver. They got married Nov. 25, 1958. To this union they had three children. Debbie, their first born; Dennis, their only son; and Sandy. When Dennis was born with a heart defect, they were only blessed with him for six months. Through her great strength of faith of the Lord was the only way they were able to get through such of terrible time. But when Sandy came along their family was complete.
Jobs were a bit hard to find here in Meeker and with a growing family Joyce and Floyd decided to take a chance of a better job. So they moved around to a couple different places, but Meeker and the ranch was always on their hearts and minds. So after four years of being away they all moved back to the ranch. When they got back to Meeker, Floyd worked at the R.E.A. for a time. But got the opportunity to start working out at Colowyo coal mine, Where he was able to work his remaining working years. After Floyd was able to retire, it was time for them to sit back and relax. They could look back on their lives together and smile. They had their up and downs, but they loved one other so much. Their kids were grown, they lived where they loved. But on March 26, 1997, the Lord took Floyd home. Joyce was devastated, but once again she relied on the Lord for strength.
She made it through once again, then she met James Hicks. They got married on Dec. 30, 2000. James passed away only six months into their marriage. But for nine months she was once again happy. By that time Sandy and her husband Mike had moved back to be here with her. After James passed away, somehow she made through again, with the Lord’s help.
She lived the remaining years with Mike and Sandy. She was still able to go out in the fields and remember when she could ride her horses across the fields. Remembering all the happy times with her family and friends.
When she passed, she was surrounded by her family and friends who loved her most.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, husbands, son and one daughter.
She is survived by her daughter Sandy, son-in-law Mike, grandson Thomas Woodall and Nicole Woodall, countless cousins, nieces and nephews and lots of other family and friends.
Would like to thank Jen Phelan and most of all Vicki Crawford. They helped and cared for mom with loving care. They are two angels on earth.
She will be surely missed by the people who loved her. See you in Heaven, Mommy.
