Joyce E Gilmore

Joyce Elaine Gilmore, 87, of Lake Jackson, Texas left her earthly home on June 18th, 2021. Joyce was born on January 26, 1934 to Charles Spalding of Henley, Missouri and Helen T. Murphy of Jefferson City, Missouri in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Joyce and her best friend and soul mate, Bob Gilmore, grew up two houses from each other from the age of 10. They had 54 glorious years of marriage together, before he left his earthly home almost 11 years ago. Joyce grew up in Jefferson City right along with her best friend and cousin June. After graduating from Jefferson City Junior College in 1952, Joyce then went on to marry her high school sweetheart Bob. They were married in April 21, 1956. They moved to Hawaii when Bob was transferred over there with the Navy. Upon returning to the states, they started a family. They had three children, Keith, Julie and Diana. They moved to Texas in 1965. She always said we got to Texas as fast as we could!

She was a loving wife and mother and eventually Mimi to all who met her. Her work in her sorority with Beta Sigma Phi in 1956 in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she was president of that organization, was a huge part in shaping her as a leader of many different groups over the span of her lifetime. As a faithful member of Forrest Heights United Methodist Church in Lubbock, she was a member of UMW ladies’ organization with her church and was recognized for her work with shut-ins and elderly community. She was always the hostess with the mostest at every function the church held.

The first one there and the last one to leave an event. She was a part of a mentor program in Lubbock called HOSTS which was a reading mentor program within the elementary and middle school grade levels. She loved helping children of all ages. She was awarded a Special Mission Recognition for her gift in the ministries of women, children and youth. Joyce loved gardening, and orchids and roses were her favorite. She loved baking banana bread with all her grand kids, she fiercely loved her dogs and walking everyday kept her healthy and happy. Greeting cards for every occasion was her way of showing people she cared and loved deeply.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, Charles O. Spalding and Helen T Murphy, her loving and devoted husband and best friend, Robert “Bob” Joseph Gilmore. Her two sisters, Jean Waggoner and Sharlene Spalding and many Aunts and Uncles that have gone before her.

She is survived by her children, Keith Gilmore and his wife Anne of Lubbock, Tx.; Julie Butler and her husband Lee of Allen, Tx. and Diana Albers and her husband John of Lake Jackson, Tx. She has many grandchildren; Casie Crawford and her husband Dan of Dallas, Tx.; Ashley Butler of Allen, Tx.; Kristen Cotton and her Husband Tyler of Round Rock, Tx. ; Rachel Gilmore of Austin, Tx.; Jacob, Alyssa and Noah of Lake Jackson, Tx.; Great Grandchildren, Brendan and Kyleigh Devitt of Dallas, Tx. and Riley Cotton of Round Rock, Tx.

Services for Joyce will be held at Forrest Heights United Methodist Church, on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests the donations be made to Forrest Heights United Methodist Church or Meals on Wheels. Online condolences may be offered on our website at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com