Joyce Ann Jones of Blythe, California passed away in her home on February 26, 2017. She was 61 years old. Joyce enjoyed a long, fulfilling career as a school teacher, retiring from the Palo Verde Unified School District in December, 2014.

Joyce came to California from Indiana in 1985, after earning both a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana State University and a Master's Degree from Indiana University. Her first teaching assignment that year was in Special Education at the old Appleby School. Joyce loved being a teacher and adored her students. When asked her philosophy of teaching, she answered, "My one goal in life was always to make children into life-long learners who love to read".

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, David Jones of Blythe, California; her parents, Anna Louise and Thomas Eugene Clendaniel of Chesterton, Indiana; mother-in-law Lucy Jones of Florence, Oregon; brothers Les (Teri) Clendaniel of Portage, Indiana, Dave (Dee) Clendaniel of Lake Station, Indiana, Doug (Kathy) Clendaniel of Hanford, California, and Ed (Billie Sue) Clendaniel of La Port, Indiana; step-children Peggy Best of Oregon, David Jones and Sheila Kirkbride of Texas. She will also be missed by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, nephews, nieces and dear friends.

Viewing will take place on Monday, March 6, 2017 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm with the funeral starting at 2:00 pm at the White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd Street, Chesterton, Indiana.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Frye Chapel and Mortuary, 633 N. 7th, Blythe, California.