Joy Marie Wootton

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for the life she lived, we announce the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend, Joy Marie Wootton, on July 28, 2025.

Born on March 3, 1982, at the military hospital in Minot, North Dakota, on a rare warm 33 degree day, when the high had not been above 0 degrees in 45 days. Joy came into this world as a literal and symbolic burst of light—her arrival celebrated not only for the beautiful baby girl she was but also for the sudden warmth that seemed to accompany her. Her name was JOY, and she lived up to it every day of her life.

As the daughter of a military family, Joy's life was an adventurous journey across the globe. From the plains of North Dakota to California, Alabama, Okinawa, Ohio, Louisiana, Germany, Illinois, and Colorado, she embraced each new place with curiosity, resilience, and grace. She was homeschooled beginning in sixth grade and graduated from Wootton Academy while living in Germany—where her academic gifts and compassionate heart began to shine brightly.

In 2000, Joy began studying nursing at Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana. Her dream was to become a BS/RN nurse, travel to China, and have a dog named Max. By the spring of 2003, she was excelling—top of her nursing class and declaring that studying Chinese was both fun and easy. But just as her plans were beginning to take shape, life changed.

Upon returning to Germany for the summer, Joy was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. In November of that year, during treatment, a devastating medical error occurred when the wrong drug was administered into her spinal column. Doctors told us she should not survive. But God, in His mercy, gave her back to us.

Though left a C2 tetraplegic and dependent on a respirator for the rest of her life, Joy’s spirit remained unshaken. For nearly 22 years, she was a living testament to strength, faith, and love. Paralyzed but never powerless, she touched countless lives by sharing the message of Jesus and His love. Even in suffering, she radiated joy—true to her name.

Joy is deeply loved and mourned by her parents, Jean and Jim Wootton; her brother, Dr. Jamie Wootton; her sister, Gwendolyn Wootton; her grandmother, Lois Sauer; and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins who cherished her. She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Jim and MaryLou Wootton; maternal grandfather, Robert Sauer; uncles Joe and Mark Wootton; and aunt Melissa Wootton.

A Celebration of Joy will be held on Sunday, August 17, from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at Yellow Car Country Wines in Cortez, Colorado. All who knew and loved Joy are invited to join us in remembering her remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that no floral arrangements be sent. Your presence and prayers are the greatest gift.