Joyce Marie Stephens

Joyce went home to be with her heavenly Father on August 1, 2023.  Joyce was a long time resident of Everman, but was born in C-Tree, Oklahoma.  Joyce was the 5^th of 11 children born to Joe and Myrtle Jones.  Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She is now reunited with the love of her life, her husband of 66 years, Joe Stephens.  Their love story produced four children Vicky Jean, Terry Lynn, Laquetta Gayle, and Robert Dean, as well as 13 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.  When the first grandchild appeared, Joyce became known as Nanny.  Joyce was the matriarch and spiritual leader of the family, and loved serving the Lord in multiple ways, including teaching Sunday School classes, volunteering for Vacation Bible School, and sharing the gospel with people she met throughout her life.   She met the love of her life, Joe, on August 1, 1954, which happened to be his birthday.  Three months later they were married on her birthday.  Their marriage started with very humble beginnings, living in a two room shack on a farm her family was working.  A new career opportunity for Joe brought the family to Fort Worth, TX in 1969, but it also required him to attend college on nights and weekends for several years.  Joyce took on the challenge of raising four children during this time, while working full time at Pangburn’s Chocolates and later Shacklee Corporation.  She later had the role of Cafeteria Manager at Souder Elementary in Everman, TX, impacting the lives of many children until she retired.  Joyce was very creative and talented, and her hands were never idle.  She created and decorated many custom cakes for friends and family, and loved to crochet.  She was well known for folding dollar bills into shirts and pants when giving gifts or tips.  She raised her four children to love the Lord and understand the value and importance of family.  She rests in Jesus’ arms today, but her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Hubert Stephens; father, Joseph Arch Jones and mother, Myrtle Carrie (Lakey) Jones; brothers, James Darnell Sutton (Faye), Layman Jones, J L Jones (Monta), Donald Ray Jones, & Lonnie Gene Jones (Novella); sister, Melva Lee Henry; sister-in-law, Wilma Jones; and granddaughter-in-law, Brandy Lynn Murray.

She is survived by brother, Tommy Lee Jones; sisters, Janie Louise Tucker (LeeRoy), Joe Ann Ryan and Nancy Janine Beaty; sister-in-laws, Donna Jones & Judy Jones; and brother-in-law Buzz Henry.  Her children, Vicky Jean Pearce (Curtis), Terry Lynn Stephens (Becky), Laquetta Gayle Murray (Jerry) and Robert Dean Stephens (Denise); grandsons, Trey Murray, Chad Pearce (Carrie), Jeff Murray (Missie), Anthony Pearce, Preston Asher, Jeremy Veine (DJ); granddaughters, Shalinda Gallegos (Jared), Danielle Asher (Cory), Ashley Gair (Cody), Victoria Butler (Brandon), Jamie Salgado (Erick), Heather Belyea and Holly Belyea; great grandsons, Conner Kidwell, Carson Pearce, Luke Gair, Jax Murray, Cameron Pearce, Waylon Gair, Huck Gair, Pearce Butler, Cade Pearce, Jayton Murray, Atlas Butler and Rylan Salgado; great granddaughters, Ellen Williams (Michael), Madison Ward, Leia Murray, Emma Asher, Julie Murray, Jutte Butler & Olive Butler.

A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church in Everman, TX at 11:00am on Saturday, August 5.  Viewing will be immediately before the service at 10:30am.  A graveside service will be held with immediate family at Emerald Hills Memorial Park in Kennedale, TX.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Everman at https://firsteverman.org/give.