Joyce Gorgoletis Ford
Betty Jean (Hamon) Thompson of Yuba City, CA, lived 95 wonderful years before her passing on April 26, 2022. A native of Marysville, she always thought of Yuba-sutter as home.
Betty lived with a vibrant spirit and a grateful heart. She was a bright light to many, and a glowing example of kindness and generosity. She loved her family. Betty will be deeply treasured and fondly remembered by all those who knew her.
Clarence Pierson III, lifelong resident of the Yuba-sutter area, born March 8, 1973, passed on April 23, 2022, at the age of 49.
Clarence was a man of his word, a thoughtful husband of 24 years, an incredible father, a caring son, and a loyal friend. As an active member of the Yubasutter communities, Clarence was well respected by many.
He enjoyed sports, playing semi-pro football for the Twin Cities Cougars but most of all loved coaching youth football. A coach of 20+ years, Clarence volunteered and served as a coach for the Twin Cities Wildcats, Jr. Blazers, Jr. Falcons, and River Valley High School football organizations.
Clarence created unbreakable bonds with fellow coaches and helped shape countless young athletes into the people they are today, with his leadership, passion, patience, and guidance on and off the football field.
He was an avid fisherman and loved a good TV show. Most of all, he loved being surrounded by family and friends, creating lasting memories we will hold dear to our hearts.
Clarence is preceded in death by his daughter, Kayla Lizama-pierson; as well as his grandparents, Joe and Idella Moore; aunt, Mary Smith; uncles, Allan Moore, and Johnny Moore; and cousin, Lucien Dillard.
Clarence is survived by his wife, Angelina Pierson; his children, Kendra Lizama-pierson, Clarence Pierson IV, and Kelsie Lizama-pierson; his mother; Martha Hampton; and limitless family and friends.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, 10:00 am, at the Chapel of the Twin Cities on Shasta Street in Yuba City. Reception to follow at River Valley High School Gymnasium.
Joyce Gorgoletis Ford, 88, of Woodland, CA, after a two year illness is finally at peace. She went to rest on April 11, 2022.
Joyce was born in Tulsa, OK, November 26, 1933, to Arthur Talley and Ruth (Anderson) Talley. She attended South Yuba City grade schools in first through eighth grade, then finished at Yuba City High School.
After finishing school she met and married Kenneth Dozier. Shortly after, he signed into the Navy and they were shipped to Oahu where he served for two years. While there Joyce gave birth to their son.
After leaving the service they lived in Hillsboro, OR, for three years. After giving birth to their daughter they moved back to California to be near both families. In mid 60s, after becoming a single parent, Joyce moved to the Bay Area and became a Health Consultant, and hair stylist at one of the Health Clubs in Oakland.
She met her future husband Peter Gorgoletis at a Pub he owned near the Port of Oakland. With him being of Greek faith she then studied and became an Orthodox Christian, and Godmother to her husbands little nephew.
Her husband was the owner of Port Lite Cocktail Lounge, located a walking distance from Port Of Oakland, CA. They ran the business together for ten years before the passing of her husband.
Joyce continued to operate the business well into the 1980s. While there she met a gentleman who was at that time with Southern Pacific Railroad, John Ford. They went into a beautiful marriage and several years after he retired they moved to Woodland. During the next eight years they worked on making their home a beautiful sight. They added a little weeping willow that is far beyond little today.
Approximately eight years later, living in the valley was when she took ill, and the day came for John to take care of her. He was with her as her in home care provider 24/7. Today she is truly missed.
She is survived by her loving husband, John Ford; son, Larry Dozier (Maja); daughter, Kerry Dozier-segale; godson, Tommy Gorgoletis; sisters, Judi Talleypate (Ron, Sr.), Sher Talley, Sharon Weber Gilmore; brother, Royce Talley; several nieces and nephews; granddaughter, Michelle Mincer; grandson, Harley Segale (Colleen); six great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Johanna and Jennifer; and other members of John Ford's family.
She is preceded in death, her husband of ten years, Peter Gorgoletis; her brother, Wayne Talley; stepmother, Mildred Brooks; and sister-inlaw, Geri Talley.
Service will be held at Sutter Cemetery, Sutter, CA, Monday, May 9, 2022, at 11:00 AM.