Joelle Taylor

During the early morning of June 15, 2026, not far from her home in Bandera, Texas, our beloved Joelle Barton Taylor slipped from our grasp and went home to be with our Savior at the age of 53.

Joelle was the youngest and sweetest daughter born to Kayla Gibb Barton and Gordon Barton on August 10th, 1972. She spent her early years living with her family between Mexico, The United States and Canada. By the age of four, her mother had settled her and her siblings solely in Canada. Joelle’s sweetness never left her and she grew up being a friend to all and a blessing to her mother and siblings. Joelle excelled in gymnastics, only money probably kept her from Olympic dreams. She went on to graduate from James Fowler High School in 1990, at which point, invited by her older sister, Jennifer, she and her sister Jody, headed south once again, settling in St. George, Utah.

Joelle kept herself busy with work and family for the first year or two, but moved on yet again, joining her sister Jamie in California. It was there that she was married and welcomed a son and a daughter, the two true joys of her life. However, her married life was short lived, and she returned to Utah following a divorce. There, she returned to school and fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. She realized that dream as a single parent, balancing the love and success of her children with a rigorous academic schedule. Joelle’s smarts and grit would carry her far.

Shortly after graduation, and leaving her position with a local hospital, Joelle headed further east to San Antonio, Texas. She settled there, eventually landing her dream job with Methodist Hospital. She loved her position, her pediatric patients, her coworkers and all the staff with whom she worked. They were a second family to her.

Joelle was very busy at home raising those two joys of her life. As a mom, she loved them thoroughly, cheered them on in extracurriculars, and pushed them to academic success, culminating in each of them graduating college with a Bachelor’s degree. She was endlessly proud of all they accomplished and not a day passed so that they did not feel her love deeply.

Joelle’s priorities were her children, but once they were grown, she was able to relax a little. This small change in focus led her to the love of her life, Rodney. The two of them were a perfect pair and it was obvious to everyone around them. They adored each other. They sealed their commitment before God on June 16th, 2018. Though Rodney knows it was far from enough, they were able to spend ten years together, fostering their newly expanded family including their beloved doggos, Tucker and Bear, and growing their dreams. Joelle and Rodney purchased their own little piece of paradise where, between their dedication and their hard work, they built a home, became chicken parents, and benefitted from an amazing vegetable garden. They dreamed hard and worked harder.

Joelle was all sweetness and kindness (with a little stubbornness mixed in) and those she loved, she loved fiercely. Her love language was giving gifts, whether it was homemade treats, or the many thoughtfully chosen presents, wrapped so carefully and beautifully. She was Dr. Nurse to so many friends and family and always fielded those calls and conversations with as much expertise, compassion and grace as she could. If you knew Joelle, you knew what it was to be loved. She broke many hearts when she slipped away and will be forever missed.

Joelle leaves behind her husband, Rodney, her son Rielly Ray, her daughter Emma (Connor) Harrell, Stepsons Chasen Taylor, Logan Taylor and Mason Talyor, her siblings Joanne (Manuel) Diaz, Jamie (Victor) Villescas, Jennifer Rettie, Jenai Finnigan, Jeremy Barton, Jared Barton, Jody Barton and Jason (Maria) Barton. She leaves behind many grieving nieces and nephews including Christian (Maddie), Sam, Jax, Morgan, Madison and Matthew, as well as many other family and friends too numerous to count. Joelle was preceded in death by her father, and her brother-in-law, Paul Rettie. Joells’s faith was pure, simple, and never wavered. She knew and trusted her Savior, and though we know she was welcomed into her eternal home, she will be sorely missed. The love she gave is only outmatched by the grief that remains.

Joelle’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 20th at 2:00pm at the Ridin’ the River Cowboy Fellowship church.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Bandera Funeral Chapel.