Joy Lynn Knight Vasquez, age 72, passed away on February 25, 2026, in Bakersfield, California. She was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, to Fredrel Beatrice Knight and Earl Franklin Knight.
Joy shared a loving marriage of over 56 years with her devoted husband, Pedro Huerta Vasquez. She was a longtime resident of Taft, California, where she lived for more than 30 years and built a life centered on faith, family, and love.
She is survived by her husband, Pedro Huerta Vasquez; her children, Pete Vasquez III, Wendy (Donald) Osborn of Plano, Texas; her stepsons, Steven Vasquez of Columbia, South Carolina, and Michael (Trisha) Vasquez of San Antonio, Texas; her daughters-in-law, Amanda, Gabriella, and Patricia; her sisters, Patsy Dean, Linda Woods, Betty Gadea, Bonnie Fleming, and her twin sister, Jan Miles; as well as countless extended family members and dear friends.
Joy was a proud and loving grandmother to Vanessa Vasquez, Natasha Vasquez, Sienna (Luis) Vazquez, Rylea Summitt, Daysia Osborn, Breanna Vasquez, Angel Medell, Patrick Medell, Marvin Vasquez, Pete Vasquez IV, Gabriel Vasquez, Randy Vasquez, D’Angelo Vasquez-Wesley, and Pete Michael Vasquez.
She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: David Montano, Julian Cadena, Jasmyne Cadena, Petey O’Ryan Vasquez, Ruben Villanueva, Julian Pete Vasquez, and Zuri Vasquez-Wesley.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved son, Jacob Vasquez; her stepsons, Peter and Samuel Vasquez; her sisters, Joan, Carol, Carolyn, and Marilyn; and her brother, Earl Knight.
Joy’s family finds comfort in knowing she is now reunited in heaven with her son Jacob and the many loved ones who went before her. Her life was a testament to unconditional love. She touched countless lives with her gentle and fun loving spirit.
Her legacy of love and devotion will live on through every life she nurtured and every heart she touched.
A viewing will be held on March 6, 2026 at 12:00pm. Funeral services will take place on March 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Erickson & Brown Funeral Home, 501 Lucard Street, Taft, California 93268. A gathering will follow services.