Joy Hickman Short Putnam, cherished mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on November 11, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on September 28, 1931, in Lockhart, Texas, to Annie Muriel Coker Hickman and Robert Loyd Hickman, Joy filled her life with love, family, and a deep commitment to her community.

Joy was married to Leslie W. (Bill) Short, Sr., with whom she raised five children: Susie Rhodes (Larry), Annette Lee (David), Les Short (Marcia), Clare Jo Anderson (Rick), and Jake Short (Kari). She was a proud grandmother to four grandchildren, Hunter Batman, Jeremy Lee (Ashli), Jaime Lee, and Scott Short, and a joyful great-grandmother to two great-grandchildren, Natalia and Titus Lee and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joy found happiness on the dance floor as an enthusiastic square dancer, and in 1988, her square dance partner, Jim Putnam, became her love and life partner. Joy and Jim enjoyed many years together, traveling the country, camping, and square dancing.

Joy's family extended beyond her immediate family, including Jim's children, whom she loved dearly: Glenn Putnam (Martha) and James Putnam (Bridget), six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, as well as many more beloved nieces and nephews related by blood or otherwise, all of whom she cherished deeply.

Professionally, Joy was a Nursing Home Administrator in Bandera, San Antonio, and Kerrville. She shared her creativity and compassion through her work as a florist, bringing beauty and care to all who knew her. As a seamstress, she shared her talent with a needle, sewing countless items, including many period dresses for the ladies of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Her pride in her heritage was evident through her active involvement as a member of the Joshua D. Brown Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the Confederacy.

As her children were growing up in Bandera, Joy was a member of numerous civic organizations and was very active in the community, including serving as PTA President, Girl Scout Leader, Red Cross Swimming Instructor, volunteering with the annual Hunter's BBQ, and being a very loud voice at Bandera Bulldog football games.

Joy will be remembered for her warmth, strength, and unwavering kindness. Her legacy lives on in the lives of those she loved, and she will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.

A celebration of Joy's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Ridin' the River Cowboy Fellowship, 5767 TX-173, Bandera, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Hill Country Youth Ranch, Bandera's Frontier Times Museum, or a charity of your choice.

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