You still have time, but just so you know, Joyce Coulson Pay will turn a young 93 years old on Nov. 30, 2020. At present, she is staying where ever she wants to, most of which is with kids in Mona. Other homes were in Ft. Green where she was born; Nephi, raising five kids, and now Mona. But she knows her real home is in that Heavenly Sphere where her husband-Gordon Pay has been since 1981. This writer could feel her glee when she learned that Gordon has finally learned how to dance, so she better practice the Nephi two step before she transcends. Like many youngins, Sgt. Gordon passed through the shadow of death at age 59. It was a cancer, but if you dig deep with a yet to be invented Cancer Locater, it is possible that in 1942, while in the 25th Division of Battery "A" 145th Battalion, his work with Chemical Warfare could have handed him a hidden death agent. In war time, he knew how to handle a 105 m.m. Howitzer. When he returned to Nephi, his cannon was a fishing pole and a power arm pitcher for Nephi's baseball team, always keeping his jacket on. They played in the grandstand that was in the northeast portion of the Juab Fairgrounds. Joyce was born a red head, and teased by boys in Ft. Green, but not for long! She knew how to throw a knuckle curve to a young boy, and thereafter stood her ground, and proved it to me yesterday. She wasn't going to stand for my questioning about my BS of a missing 87 cents when she worked as the Juab County Treasurer for several years. She has always had fondness for the American soldier as her Dad was one during WWI, and her mother and Dad made bullets and parachutes during WWII. Joyce also worked at home; a cashier at Tri-State Lumber, Toggery and Ralphs Market. She pretended she could sing with her young friends in Ft. Green and the family photo in 1981 got the title of "Singing Osmonds". Her favorite US leader is President Trump; favorite LDS Leader is David O. McKay and best friends include Elaine Llewellyn, Iona Sperry and Ruth Zabriskie. Although her husband was a home body, they ventured to Alaska with Ross and Alice Newton. The last few years, she has did some pond hopping to England; three trips to Hawaii; several more to Alaska, and loved the rolling green hills of Ireland, but nothing could beat heading to West Juab, camping with her family in the beautiful Sagebrush, a thing city folks will never understand. She is very nervous about the future of America. When asked which of her kids-Michael, Brenda, Linda, Allen or Donna was her favorite, she responded much like most parents-it depended on the day! Her favorite thing as a kid was swinging in the barn, but loved riding her bike. Her Dad was a coal miner, who made her mind her P's and Q's, by whipping...no, not her, but her bike. It got her attention but still has her spunk. I haven't spoke much to Mrs. Pay for 50 years are so, but yesterday, I recognized she was still the Joyce of yesteryear when we were neighbors in the Old North Ward. Although her sight is not the best, I could see her soul through her eyes, and I think she felt how much I loved her and Gordon-a hard working; strong, and good man. For her birthday, she presented hand stitched quilts to each of her family-93. A Pay of Nephi and a Coulson of Ft. Green is what we call a perfect blend made forever.
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