Lee Minnix (left) hugs Jan Smith of Troutville at a fundraising event earlier this month. Smith said Minnix recruited her to join Friends of the Park, a group that raises money for improvements to Troutville Park. The group has gotten security cameras installed at the park and also resurfaced the tennis courts.

Lee Minnix of Troutville serves an ice cream float to a customer during a fundraiser for Troutville Park. Minnix owns a 1970 Good Humor truck, which her husband restored and which she calls the "Happy Truck."

A delicate wrist with a beaded bracelet reaches up to straighten the shiny purple bob wig on her head.

She hops into the "Happy Truck," her purple hair bouncing with each step.

The 40-year-old truck rumbles and shakes as she turns the key. Then she's off to sell ice cream to children.

It's time to make people happy.

Lee Minnix, 50, of Troutville has more than one job. She owns a balloon-decorating, telegram-singing and ice cream truck catering business, and dreams of opening an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Minnix said she's still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up.

Minnix, a native of La Fargeville, N.Y., moved to the Roanoke Valley after high school in 1980. She saw a clown while working at a restaurant.

"I thought, 'Now, that looks like so much fun,' " she said.

Three years later, she bought a singing telegram business and renamed it "Giggle Grammms." Two years after that, the business grew to "Happy Time Balloons."

Minnix said her balloon business was slow during the summer months. Then she saw a man selling ice cream out of a truck at a Richmond swimming pool.

"If he can sell ice cream, I can sell ice cream," she said.

In 2003, Minnix bought a 1970 Good Humor truck. Her husband restored it.

Now, Minnix drives her "Happy Truck" to day care centers, corporate events and Bible school.

"Little Brown Jug" plays from the truck as Minnix serves ice cream cones, strawberry shortcake and other confections.

Her childhood baby doll, Sally, sits in the truck with SpongeBob SquarePants and four trolls, including her favorite, Corky.

Outside of work, she spends time volunteering.

She founded Friends of the Park five years ago to care for Troutville Park. She recruited helpers and hosted fundraisers.

"Each year, we're constantly working to upgrade and make the park safer," Minnix said.

Last year, security cameras were installed. The year before that, the group raised enough money to resurface the tennis courts.

Jan Smith, 79, a member of Friends of the Park, said Minnix keeps her busy.

"If you want to laugh, you just go be with Ms. Lee," Smith said.