Joy Castleman

Joy Duckworth Castleman, 89, passed away on April 10, 2024, in Abilene, Texas. A visitation will be 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 18, 2024, in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel, 5750 Hwy 277 South. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM immediately following the visitation.  

Joy was born in Oklahoma, but it wasn’t long before her parents moved to Bakersfield, California for work. While she was living in Bakersfield, she mingled with the country music crowd. She learned to sing, as well as giving her life to Christ. When she was 21 she moved to Hobbs, New Mexico where she worked as a carhop and met the love of her life, Cecil. They fell in love and were married in 3 weeks. Over the years they had 4 children. Joy was all about family. As Cecil and Joy moved from state to state for work, they decided early on to keep the family together. So, they all traveled together, moving about 3 times a year, to as many as 10 states. Joy was passionate about raising her family. She had incredible talents such as singing and painting, but she never pursued them because of her love for being a dedicated wife and mother. Family was the most important thing to her. She had an incredible passion for life. She would not let anything slow her down for too long. She loved country music, she loved to bowl, she loved bingo, she loved watching Hallmark movies, and The Price is Right. Her love of travel was a big part of her. She loved the beach, the mountains, the flowers, and all the beauty of creation. Her love for family has been passed down to the next generation creating a legacy for her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and six siblings. 

Left to cherish the special memories are Joy’s husband, Cecil Castleman; her children, Brenda Ball and husband Jim, Kathrine Freire and husband Derek, Ken Castleman and wife Tonya, and Wes Castleman and wife Donna; her grandchildren, Christina Ball, Matthew Ball, Crystal Castleman, Rebecca Freire-Castleman, Shawna Freire, Ryan Castleman, Amanda Hilsberg and husband Kyle, and Joshua Castleman; her great grandchildren, Jadeth Castleman, Izabella Castleman, Hayden Hilsberg, Jackson Hilsberg, and Baron Castleman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.