(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)Joy Spiva Cragin passed away on November 10, 2021, at home with her family. She was born in Joplin on February 9, 1931 to George Anthony and Agnes (Schnur) Spiva. She "must have been a beautiful baby" as she was featured, as a small girl, in a Picopay (toothpaste) magazine advertisement.
As a young lady, Joy was an accomplished equestrian, showing horses. She had beautiful long hair upon which she was able to sit. She can be seen on her horse, Gypsy Flower in the lobby of the Joplin Little Theater, where she boarded the horse before it was converted into the theater.
She attended public schools in Joplin until her junior year of high school. Joy finished high school at Gulf Park Girls School, Gulf Port, MS, and then attended Arkansas University. She married John Marshall Cragin at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Joplin, MO on October 13, 1951. They celebrated their honeymoon in England where John, a graduate of West Point, was stationed.
Their first child, John Michael, was born in Swindon England. At John's next station, Albuquerque, they were blessed with a daughter, Christy. During their tour at West Point, a second son, Evan Scott was born. A second daughter, Gay, was born in Joplin in 1961, where they made their lifelong home.
Joy loved playing tennis, swimming and playing cards with many dear friends. Among her favorite activities were Tuesday Twilight Tennis, Poker Club (which was really a gin rummy card group), Sewing Club (her dear, sweet group of lady friends who did sew …sometimes), Petal Pushers (gardening ladies who have helped to beautify many Joplin parks), The Century Club (a literary study group). She was an avid reader, choosing several books a week from the Joplin Public Library.
Among the civic services supported by Joy with hard work and generous financial support are: George A Spiva Center for the Arts (founded by her father), Joplin Historical Society, Joplin Little Theater, Freeman Foundation Board, Friends of St. Avips, St. Ann’s Altar Guild of St. Philips Church, Pro Musica, a non-for-profit concert series, Ozark Public Television Board of Directors and MSSU Foundation Board. Her father was instrumental in acquiring the land for the establishment of MSSU where the library bears his name. In addition she served on the Board of Directors at First National Bank and Trust Co. (now US Bank). In 1995, Joy and John jointly received The Missouri Arts Award from the Missouri Arts Council, presented by the governor at the state capitol.
Joy is preceded in death by her parents, George and Agnes Spiva, her brother, George Anthony Spiva, and her beloved husband, John Marshall Cragin. Her family has been blessed by the care given to Joy by Ruth James, Karen Jordan and Kathy Johnson. These wonderful ladies helped Joy live life to the fullest until the end. We are forever grateful for their wonderful care.
She is survived by her four children, Mike (Juanita), Christy, Scott and Gay; 10 grandchildren: John (Melissa), Will (Hajni) and George Cragin, Jason (Jill), Cassie and Eric Evans, Camille Cragin Antolak (Stanley), and Kasey, Cragin and Sally Currence; 7 great-grandchildren: Cyra Evans, Hayden Taber and Avery Joy Evans, Elijah William Evans, Parker Cohen Mudd, John Marshall Cragin III, and Emerson Dawes Antolak. The children fondly referred to Joy as “Grandma Great”.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the George A Spiva Center for the Arts or St. Philips Episcopal Church, in care of Thornhill Dillon Mortuary.
Their first child, John Michael, was born in Swindon England. At John's next station, Albuquerque, they were blessed with a daughter, Christy. During their tour at West Point, a second son, Evan Scott was born. A second daughter, Gay, was born in Joplin in 1961, where they made their lifelong home.
Joy loved playing tennis, swimming and playing cards with many dear friends. Among her favorite activities were Tuesday Twilight Tennis, Poker Club (which was really a gin rummy card group), Sewing Club (her dear, sweet group of lady friends who did sew …sometimes), Petal Pushers (gardening ladies who have helped to beautify many Joplin parks), The Century Club (a literary study group). She was an avid reader, choosing several books a week from the Joplin Public Library.
Among the civic services supported by Joy with hard work and generous financial support are: George A Spiva Center for the Arts (founded by her father), Joplin Historical Society, Joplin Little Theater, Freeman Foundation Board, Friends of St. Avips, St. Ann’s Altar Guild of St. Philips Church, Pro Musica, a non-for-profit concert series, Ozark Public Television Board of Directors and MSSU Foundation Board. Her father was instrumental in acquiring the land for the establishment of MSSU where the library bears his name. In addition she served on the Board of Directors at First National Bank and Trust Co. (now US Bank). In 1995, Joy and John jointly received The Missouri Arts Award from the Missouri Arts Council, presented by the governor at the state capitol.
Joy is preceded in death by her parents, George and Agnes Spiva, her brother, George Anthony Spiva, and her beloved husband, John Marshall Cragin. Her family has been blessed by the care given to Joy by Ruth James, Karen Jordan and Kathy Johnson. These wonderful ladies helped Joy live life to the fullest until the end. We are forever grateful for their wonderful care.
She is survived by her four children, Mike (Juanita), Christy, Scott and Gay; 10 grandchildren: John (Melissa), Will (Hajni) and George Cragin, Jason (Jill), Cassie and Eric Evans, Camille Cragin Antolak (Stanley), and Kasey, Cragin and Sally Currence; 7 great-grandchildren: Cyra Evans, Hayden Taber and Avery Joy Evans, Elijah William Evans, Parker Cohen Mudd, John Marshall Cragin III, and Emerson Dawes Antolak. The children fondly referred to Joy as “Grandma Great”.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the George A Spiva Center for the Arts or St. Philips Episcopal Church, in care of Thornhill Dillon Mortuary.
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