Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
UPDATE: Due to smoky conditions, the family has changed the service location for Lucy to the Best Western Premier in Vancouver, Washington, at 1 p.m. on Aug. 7.
Lucy Olive “Joy” O’Brien passed peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Vancouver Washington, at the age of 90 years. Joy was delivered by her grandmother Lucy Pugh in Chataqua, Kansas, on Sept. 2, 1935. Her parents were James M. Carter and Cora H. Pugh Carter.
In the early 1940s, the family moved to the Hood River Valley, where Joy grew up attending Barrett Elementary School and Wy’east High School. In 1953, she met and married Robert “Bob” Walls and they made their home locally, where Joy worked in the Hood River Valley packing industry, as a waitress, and a homemaker. After they divorced in 1959, Joy moved to California, where she met Harold “Pat” O’Brien and they were married in 1961. Joy and Pat moved back to Hood River Valley and started a dairy farm in Parkdale, where Joy was also a school bus driver. Around 1973, Joy and Pat relocated to Vale, Oregon, to continue dairy farming. Around 1979, Joy became single again and moved to Eugene, Oregon, and then lived temporarily in Nebraska. Eventually she moved to California to be near family and became a bakery hostess until she retired and settled in Salome Arizona.
After she retired, she traveled throughout the U.S., visiting Graceland, family, and friends in various states. She loved Elvis Presley and collecting things about Elvis’s career.
Joy is survived by her daughter Rosetta Walls, and sons Tony (Kathy) Walls and Rickey (Desiree) O’Brien. She has 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Patrick Jr. O’Brien, her parents, and brothers Carl Carter, Cecil Carter, Con Carter and sister Jewel Davidson.
A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Best Western Premier in Vancouver, Washington; 500 SE 167th Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Healthcare for Justice at healthcareforjustice.org. This organization was very special to Joy because it was founded by her grandson, Dr. Anthony Walls, and his wife, Emily. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
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