Joyce Harrell Passes Away At Age Of 72

Joyce Horrell Of Tazlina 

Joyce Horrell was a passionate hunter, beloved wife and friend, devoted mother and grandmother, and business owner with husband Don. Joyce passed away in Anchorage, Alaska, with her husband and sons at her side. She was 72. 

Joyce was born to Johnny Kimbrell and E. Marie (Kimbrell) Hatch in Portales, New Mexico. Her family moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1964, where Joyce graduated from West High School in 1968. Joyce married Don Horrell in Anchorage on June 21, 1968, and they promptly moved to the Kenai Peninsula. 

They soon became business partners, as well as life partners, with Joyce in charge of the accounting for their many businesses in the 54 years of their marriage. They welcomed son James into the family on August 20, 1970 in Anchorage. Both Joyce and Don found Kenai too big for their liking, so they relocated to the Copper River Basin, buying the Tazlina Trading Post at mile 111 on the Richardson Highway on May 1, 1971. 

They welcomed son Scott into the family on January 15, 1974 in Glennallen. They raised their boys and made the Copper River Basin their home and their community for the rest of their lives.

Joyce lived her life with humor and joyful enthusiasm, and fully embraced the rural Alaskan way of life. She loved her dogs, her horses, and hunting with her 30-06. She loved early morning with her coffee and looking at the Wrangell Mountains from her front deck. She loved the freedom and the community in the Glennallen and Tazlina area, often hosting dinners and parties, and welcoming visitors into her home as if they were family. 

She also enjoyed traveling, including many trips with family and friends to the condo she shared with her friend Lorraine in Kona, Hawaii. Special highlights of her travels were a trip to New Zealand and her two trips to Africa with her husband and sons, where she was successful on several trophy hunts and took hundreds of pictures. 

Joyce was a true Renaissance woman. In addition to handling the business of accounting, raising two sons, and traveling, she was an accomplished cook and an expert at preserving food, canning salmon, beets, moose meat, jellies, and vegetables from her garden. 

She was skilled at sewing, making beaver hats and mittens for her sons when they were little, and she enjoyed quilting and photography. She loved playing Mexican train, pinochle and finding the perfect presents for her family at Christmas. Over the last five years, Joyce took great joy in her grand-daughter, Anya. 

She spent the summers growing gardens full of fresh vegetables, fishing, and, after her sons were grown, tending to a smaller vegetable garden and over 100 flower baskets and planters around the house and yard that her sister Jackie would help her plant. 

In the fall, Joyce loved loading up the horses with Lorraine and spending time near Mile 28 of the Denali Highway, hunting caribou and berry picking with their kids. Fall was also the time for the family’s yearly hunting trip to the mountains, where she successfully hunted for moose, caribou, and bear, and often cooked meals for up to ten or twelve hunters. 

Joyce was full of power, grit, and heart. More than anything, she loved snowmachining through the mountains with her dog perched behind her, whether riding simply for fun or hunting for ptarmigan and spring bear. We fondly hold these memories of Joyce in our hearts, minds and dreams.

She is survived by husband Don Horrell of Glennallen; sister Shirley (Delmar) Hopkins of Idaho; sons James and Scott (Valiferree); granddaughter Anya; and nephew Donnie Sharp. She also leaves behind dear friend Lorraine Radigan and her many friends and community in the Glennallen area, too numerous to mention. 

She was preceded in death by her father Johnny Kimbrell; mother E. Marie (Kimbrell) Hatch; brother Pete Kimbrell; sisterJackie Kimbrell; and nephew Lonnie Kimbrell. 

Joyce’s ashes will be buried with her mother and sister in Glennallen. A private family service will be held in the summer of 2023. 
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to a charity of your choice in Joyce’s name.