Joy L. Slaughter

Joyce “Joy” Slaughter 74 of Kearney passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024 at her home surrounded by family. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Kearney with Pastor Sean Dougherty officiating. The service will also be live streamed through the church website at https://kearneyfb.org/watch/. Inurnment will be at a later date. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at the O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to ARC of Buffalo County, First Baptist Church or Nebraska Children’s Home or to Al-anon. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Joyce Slaughter was born in Ogallala Nebraska to Lauretta and Ollie Valentine on March 1, 1950. Ever after to be known as Joy, she lived up to that name. Joy enjoyed life and deeply loved her family and friends and her Lord. She recently lost her well fought battle with cancer at home surrounded by family. She is survived by her loving husband Dave of 55+ years and two sons, Jason Slaughter of Lincoln and Scott Slaughter in Omaha, two grandsons Tyler Birrenbach and Tristan Stricker-Slaughter. Their mothers Stacey Stricker and Kerri Birrenbach have had a special place in her heart for many years. Joy taught in many capacities for 38 years. She was enriched by the challenges of students with special mental and behavioral needs and later truly enjoyed sharing those experiences while teaching university classes before retiring in 2018. She taught Sunday School in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades for 18 years and attended summer camp with them for 13 years. Joy was active in ARC serving on the board to plan activities for the local groups and at the state level developing policies regarding adults with Developmental Disabilities. Dave and Joy enjoyed traveling, having fun day tripping in Nebraska and planning cruises every five years to celebrate key anniversaries. Their time together as Best Friends was full of rich experiences. She also enjoyed ‘treasure hunting’ trips with two very good friends and was constantly supported by her friendships with her watercolor painting group, reading club and Bible studies and a very special Prayer Partner of 7 years. Dave and Joy always had special dog friends in their home and her dogs were always with her inside and out. Together, Dave and Joy planned and maintained beautiful outdoor spaces and were proud to earn a Yard of the Month award. They enjoyed having family and friends in their home frequently and her special delight was to be her youngest sister’s guardian and have many special times together. Joy is survived by her husband David Slaughter, mother Lauretta Valentine, sisters Jackie Hays and Brother-in-Law David Hays, sister Jerri Valentine, sons Jason Slaughter, Scott Slaughter, grandsons Tyler Birrenbach, mother Kerri Berrinbach-Clark, Tristan Stricker-Slaughter, former daughter-in-law, Stacey Stricker, Sister-in-Law Julie Larsen, Brother-in-Law Tom Larsen, Sister-in-Law Roberta Slaughter. Joy was proceeded in death by her loving father Ollie Valentine, older sister Linda Brott, brother-in -law Mark Slaughter.

Joy L. Slaughter

March 1, 1950 - September 5, 2024