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Heaven welcomed Joy Potts on July 27, 2026. Her “faith now sees what she has believed.” Born in Amarillo, Texas at the beginning of The Great Depression and the daughter of a Preacher, Joy spent her childhood in small towns throughout the Panhandle. Her family moved to San Antonio where she graduated from Brackenridge High School and was a proud member of “The Purple Jackets.” While working at Russ & Company in 1950, she met a handsome up and coming banker at National Bank of Commerce, Joe Potts. Their 49-year marriage laid the foundation for a home full of unconditional love and cherished memories. Joy kept a beautiful home, looked and dressed her best even to the very end thanks in part to her trademark blue tattooed eyeliner highlighting her blue eyes and sparkling smile. Joy and Joe were equally enthusiastic supporters of all things San Antonio and gave generously of their time. Joy’s journey of volunteerism, patriotism and faith filled her life to serve our city and others. She served as a board member to the Texas Biomedical Forum, San Antonio Public Library Trustee, The Harry Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Center, San Antonio Council of Girl Scouts, Education Service Center Region 20, as well as, P.T.A. Honorary Life Member, The Bexar County Grand Jury, The Good Government League, Hemisphere ’68 Women’s Pavilion, The Discimis Study Club and The Forum. Her well-worn and annotated Bibles are a window into her deeply rooted faith in Jesus Christ from years of Bible Study Fellowship, First Presbyterian and Christ Church weekly Bible Studies over the decades. The family worshiped for many years under the words and friendship of Buckner Fanning at Trinity Baptist Church and currently holds her membership with Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. Aside from her accomplishments, Joy delighted in bridge, water and snow skiing, tennis, acted as hostess extraordinaire, chef and the undisputed Queen of Fried Chicken, along with being an avid reader of history, biographies, poetry, and Christian authors. Joy and Joe shared many way-too fun days and nights at Oak Hills Country Club and The Argyle with a solid group of “oh so fun amigos.” She walked the Great Wall of China, visited Red Square in the USSR, snuck into The Paris Opera House, and prayed at The Western Wall in Jerusalem among a few of her travels. In her later years, her “bridge girls” were a highlight of her week. Canyon Lake was a special family memory for over 30 years as Joy masterfully and effortlessly entertained family, friends, and grandchildren to create epic memories. Joy was one of those special people with “the gift” – the ability to make friends with anyone in any walk of life. She was a Black Belt in conversation and wit, had a serious case of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out and an obsession with stilettos and leather pants well into her 80’s. She never wanted to leave a party or have you leave her house and loved to hold your hand and not let go. She had a remarkable gift of making everyone feel seen and valued. Her essence, her DNA, her persona was one of unending gratitude and thankfulness for God’s blessings despite years of extraordinary challenges and surprises. She never complained. Until her final breath, she remained grateful and thankful. She survived the struggles of life with faith for “just today” to get her through, one day at a time. Her faith in Jesus Christ was the source of her strength, peace and true “Joy.” Joy is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Alexander Potts, her parents, Lena Adams Simmons and Arthur Hugo Simmons. Additionally, her siblings, Arthurene Cornitius (Wilbur), A. L. Simmons (Janet), Wayland Simmons, Linda Holland, her mother and father-in-law, Esther Hironimus Potts and John William Potts; sisters-in-law Marjorie Clay (Henry) and Bonnie Kirksey (Jay). Surviving are her adoring and devoted children, Steven William Potts (Mary Callahan) and Nancy Potts Oberman (John Albert); her grandchildren, Lauren Oberman Newburn, John Alexander Oberman, and Louisa Oberman Harwood (Joseph); great granddaughters, her “babies”, Lila Claire, Louisa Sophia “Weezie” and Josephina Alexander “Pippa”; sisters-in-law, Dee Ann Simmons and Billiecarole Simmons; brother-in-law Roger Holland and many cherished nieces and nephews who she absolutely loved to pieces. The family wishes to express our sincerest appreciation to Vangie Rodriguez, The Forum at Lincoln Heights – Miranda Rankin, Karen Kosub, the “angel” caregivers and Patti Zapata and the Gentiva Hospice team for their professionalism, gentleness, service and love to our mother. A Memorial service will be held Friday, August 21, 2026, at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Rd, San Antonio, Texas at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in the Christian Life Center at the church. Memorials may be made to: The Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Office of Institutional Advancement, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr. MC 7835, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, http://give.uthscsa.edu/campaigns/62927/donations/new or the charity of your choice.

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Joy Simmons Potts

October 20, 1931 - July 27, 2026