Joyce Taggart

On November 3, 2022, Charlene “Joyce” Taggart said her final earthly farewells.  Joyce was born to Vernon and Velma Mecham on May 3, 1935, in Douglas Wyoming. She was welcomed home by two older sisters Betty and Dottie. When Joyce was seven years old, she lost her mother to Tuberculosis, her father worked for The Pipeline Company and was often gone. The three sisters became caretakers for each other as well as the best of friends. They grew up spending countless hours in the saddle riding their horses everywhere. In fact, she, and her sister rode to town to see their uncle and arrived home just as the blizzard of forty-nine settled in.  Joyce loved animals and cared greatly for each and every one that came into her life

In 1961 she married Charles “Paul” Taggart and together they began their family.  Her love for animals was only trumped by the love of her family. She would do anything she could for her children and grandchildren. She loved deeply. Her goal in life was to always ensure that her family was cared for.  Joyce had five children who were lucky enough to call her mom along with their spouses who she counted as her own, Joyce (Ross Cromar), Vernie (Sheila), Lyle (Nona) Shawn (Kerri) and Tara (Mike Casey). She was grandmother to 12, great grandmother to 16 and great great grandmother to 1. 

Joyce was a friend to all with a great sense of humor.  She had a quick wit and was not afraid to share it. She was kind and incredibly honest, you knew when she counted you as a friend.

A hard worker Joyce enjoyed working, some of the places she worked in the area were, Powderhorn Coat factory, Freedom Arms, Metcalf School, The Little Red Barn Firework Stand, Nordic Market and St John’s Hospital.  She volunteered as a 4-H leader for many years and watched her children show, sheep, cattle, and horses.  She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary.  Always creative she developed a talent and enjoyed oil painting.  She also treasured her time as a primary teacher and a youth leader in church and had very fond memories of the many children she taught.

She loved Wyoming and never wanted to leave. When she was fourteen, she rode a bus through Star Valley on her way to California to stay with her aunt for the school year. She told her dad that Star Valley was where she wanted to live. In 1970 Paul and Joyce bought the Old Casper Mills Homestead in Thayne and eventually made it their home.  When they moved back to the valley in 1977, they lived and worked at Dr. Perkes Ranch outside of Etna and true to her nature she worked hard with Paul at the ranch.

Joyce had a pure, simple but strong faith in Jesus Christ. In 1988 Joyce and Paul were sealed for time and eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple. Joyce is proceeded in death by both parents, her sisters Betty and Dottie as well as her eternal companion Paul Taggart and grandson Tyrel Paul Weber. A viewing will be held on Friday November 11, 2022, at 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Schwab Funeral Home in Thayne.  Funeral Services will be November 12, 2022, at the Freedom LDS Church with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to your favorite animal rescue.