Joy Cornelius Hitch Chandler

Joy Cornelius Hitch Chandler passed away January 1, 2026 at her home in Graham, Texas. Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday January 17, 2026 at Morrison Funeral Home Chapel.

Joy was born January 11, 1943, in Olney, Texas, to J.A. and Chlois Allene Cornelius. She spent her young life in Throckmorton and graduated from Throckmorton High School in 1961. Joy attended San Angelo College and completed her education at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Fort Worth as a Registered Nurse in 1964. Upon graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Pete Hitch, and they made their home in Dallas moving to San Angelo in 1966. Their daughter, Jennifer Allene, was born December 3, 1971. Upon Pete’s death on April 24, 1978, Joy and Jennifer returned to Throckmorton. In 1980, Joy married Don Chandler who passed away September 7, 2006.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, and brother, Jeb Alston Cornelius, sisters-in-laws, Nedra Cornelius and Pat Cornelius, and stepson, Joe Ed Chandler.

She is survived by daughter Jennifer Allene and husband Mike Watts of Graham, brother Jene Paul Cornelius of San Angelo, sister Kandy and John David Wharton of Longview. Step daughter Marlene and Mike Lukert of Olney, Sherrie Chandler of San Angelo. Grandchildren and families Jessica, Shawna, Peyson, Braxtyn Cortez of Amarillo Blake and Dihya Davis, Braden Watts, Brandon, Hannah, and Oliver Watts, Elizabeth, Mikayla, Kenleigh Watts, all of Graham Jonathan, Makenzi, Hazel, Charlotte, and Waylon of Japan. Keri Krupp, of Graham Kyle Lukert, Trenton Chandler and Tamara Chandler. 10 nieces and nephews and their extended families and close friends …

Donations can be made in her memory to:

Mistletoe Farm-510 Hwy 380 W-Graham, Texas 76450

First United Methodist Church Throckmorton-220 N. Reynolds Ave.-Throckmorton, TX. 76483

Trinity Senior Living-1331 Cherry Street-Graham, Texas 76450