Certificate of Appreciation

At the September board meeting a vote was held for this year’s Certificate of Appreciation.  The vote was unanimous for a very special lady who dedicated most of her adult life to our sport.  Although she didn’t begin bowling until she was 37 years old, once she discovered the sport she gave her all.  It is with regret that she never knew this award was going to be given to her because she joined the rest of the bowling angels in heaven on January 25. TWBW’s 2005 recipient of the Certificate of Appreciation is Joyce Harton and here with us today is her sister, Billie Ann Baumert and nephew, Dean Baumert.  Please join me at the podium.

This is a moment of solemn appreciation of Joyce’s achievements, in spite of her presence not here. In honoring her, we honor the best in ourselves.

It is very difficult to say how valuable Joyce Harton’s leadership has been to bowling.  For over 40 years, Joyce has been a leader in developing many new programs that have benefited bowlers throughout Texas. She mentored new bowlers and board members and had even endowed Austin WBA’s Service Award. 

Joyce was born on October 1, 1924 and worked for the Health Department for 40 years. Retirement was a dirty word for Joyce and a benefit for the bowling community.  After she retired from state service she could then dedicate herself fulltime to bowling.

Joyce implemented many programs that are ongoing for the Austin WBA, such as Lane Representatives, Ways and Means Roll for Dough, BVL, and prepared an Administrative Manual which is currently the now Policy Procedure Manual.  Her passion for writing and rules made this manual a model for many other organizations including ours.

In 1993 WIBC announced the “WIBC Spotlight Award.”  The AWBA board members were assigned specific sections of the criteria as their responsibility to compete for submitting to WIBC.  Knowing Joyce had excellent writing abilities, President Giles assigned Joyce the task of editing the award criteria prior to submission to WIBC. Austin surpassed 27 other entries to receive the WIBC Spotlight Award.

One of Joyce’s greatest writing achievements was when she and the other life members of Austin WBA created and published the 50 Year History Book.  She was tasked and appointed to formulate, research, compile and write the history for the Austin Association, for the period 1936 to 1986.  Through her diligent, close and cooperative collaboration, her careful eye for mistakes and her great gift of the English language ensured this book was error free and something the Austin WBA has been very proud of.

She was a TWBA director for 9 years and even though she never held office for TWBW she was very involved. Joyce made sure her “men tees” all became members of our club.  She loved to write and was good at it, which was evident by being TWBA Writer of the year in 1991 and Publicity Chairman of the Year in 1973.  Joyce was devoted to our organization and never said no to any assignments.  She served TWBW as a Contest Judge, on the Teller Committee and as a Poster Judge.  And when her physical capabilities limited her participation and she could no longer bowl, she remained passionately dedicated to the sport and its participants. In recent years, almost never seen outside her apartment, did not deter her involvement with bowling.  Her service was merely a telephone call away, her lifeline to the rest of the world. Joyce got more work accomplished over the phone than most active members did in person.  When Joyce felt like she could no longer provide active service to TWBW then her endowments were quick and anonymous.  When we needed a new printer, there was Joyce.  When the computer was dying and on it’s last leg, there was Joyce. She never sought the limelight or attention for herself. She always sought to build others up. 

Her awards have recognized the many accomplishments she had completed and we would be here all morning pointing out all of many contributions she has made for bowling. She chose to make her life a humble example by conveying to everyone she met the importance of rules, especially in bowling, Upon Joyce’s death, Rena Hoelscher commented that Joyce probably already called a meeting in Heaven with Lil Poole, Lee Sullivan, Jewel Krugor, Ruth Petersen, and heaven’s newest angel, Doris Coffman. They were gathered to re-write the bible and “fix” some mistakes and inconsistencies.  Joyce had already bent the ear of God to point out some problems…like giraffes…she asked, “Why the long neck.”  That was our Joyce.

We remember her today for her incredible legacy to bowling.  Hers was a life well lived. Joyce was a unique and extraordinary woman.  Her legacy of the Austin WBA Service Award, PPM and her remarkable courage during her illnesses will never be equaled.

There is so much we can say about Joyce, so many memories, so many good times, so many wise words, so many tears because a new star twinkles in the sky.  Once a giant among women Joyce is now spreading her wings.  Her smile will be remembered for a long time.  We are all much richer for her time on earth.