Joanne Christal Word

Funeral services for Joanne Christal Word, 80, of Amarillo will be held Saturday, May 28, 2016, at 10:00 in the Hillside Christian Church West Campus Chapel, 6100 S. Soncy Road in Amarillo. Burial will follow in Llano Cemetery in Amarillo.

Funeral arrangements are handled by Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon.

The family will receive visitors at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. Another visitation is scheduled for Friday, May 27, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, located at 2800 Paramount Boulevard in Amarillo.

Joanne Christal Word, 80, of Amarillo went Home to be with the Lord on Wednesday morning, May 18th. Mrs. Word was born on September 7, 1935, in Lelia Lake to William “Billie” and Gertrude Christal. Following graduation from high school, she attended West Texas State University and married Millard L. Word. The couple had four children and traveled extensively, having lived abroad in Japan with the Navy until Millard’s untimely death in 1966. She then moved the family to Canyon and completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education at WT. She also received the Kodaly Certification of Music. She taught Elementary music for over 30 years in Amarillo, and always loved getting to pass the gift of music along to others. She was a member of the Canyon City Chapter #105 of Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron, Secretary and Musician. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the National Education Association and Texas Music Educators Association. She retired in 2000. Her biggest joy was the special relationships she held with family and friends along life’s journey. She loved getting to piece together beautiful quilts to give to others. But most of all, she loved sharing her faith with everyone she came in contact with. She genuinely shared her love for the Lord and His faithfulness, even through the many physical trials she endured. She will be greatly missed, but all of us here rejoice for the reunions that are now taking place for her.

Mrs. Word was preceded in death by her husband, Lieutenant Commander Millard L. “Bumpy” Word, her parents, Judge William R. Christal and Thelma Gertrude Christal, her son, William Timothy Word, and grandson Zachary Ty Word.

Mrs. Word is survived by one sister, Janiece Kuhrau, of Seattle Washington; two sons, David Word and wife Lynne of Olathe, Kansas and Mike Word and wife Susan of Clarendon, Texas; one daughter, Kimberly Miller and husband David of Amarillo; 9 grandchildren: Sarah Roberts and husband Jonathan, Rachel Word, Brandon Word and wife Valerie, Cameron Word, Tiffany Castillo and husband Ursulo, Tyler Word, Erin Word, Trey Miller and wife Rachel, and Matthew Miller. She is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren: Gavin Word, Julian Word, Raelyn Word, Aiden Word, Jonas Word, Imri Castillo and Abigail Castillo, Andrew Word, and Avi Word. Mrs. Word was also blessed with many wonderful nieces and nephews and dear friends.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at Craig Methodist Senior Living for the wonderful care and friendships forged during the time in which “Jan” was a resident.