Joy Elizabeth Bales, 85, Lawson, Missouri, passed away on December 17, 2015, at the Lawson Manor and Rehabilitation Center.

Joy was born on September 6, 1930, in Hamilton, Missouri, to Ray and Beatrice J. Hatfield Yoakum. She had been a homemaker. Joy had been a member of the Old Union Christian Union Church, Lawson, and the Polo, Missouri, American Legion Auxiliary.

Joy married Donald Bales on October 16, 1947, in Hamilton. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her parents; infant son-Timothy; 7 brothers-Charles, Lynn, Donald, Mitchell, Arnold, Ronald, and Lester Yoakum; and 3 sisters-Reta Anderson, Veta Holman, and Wilma Thomas.

Survivors: 3 sons-Mark (Candace), Dennis (Joann), and Steve (Brenda) Bales, all of Lawson; special friend-Sharon Perry, and her family, Holt, Mo.; brother-Billy Yoakum, Portland, Oregon; 2 sisters-Marilyn June Helm, Hamilton; and Felva Ann Lollar, Cameron; 9 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service: 2 p.m., Monday, December 21, at Bram Funeral Home, Hamilton.

Visitation: 1 to 2 p.m., 1 hour prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Interment: Highland Cemetery, Hamilton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.

Friends may call after 9 a.m., on Monday.