Until 1980, Joyce was a homemaker, and raised her four children. Then, when her children were grown, she joined the workforce and worked as a security guard for the Texas Tech Ranching Heritage Center until 1992, when she retired. She was also a long-time member of Highland Baptist Church in Lubbock. In her later years, Joyce enjoyed sitting on her back porch swing, reading the newspaper, and spending time with her beloved dog, Buddy, who would eat pecans that she would crack open for him.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, Lucille Windham, Zelma Burch, W. W. Stephens, Jr., Lois Sue Lovinggood, and Donald Bowen “Bo” Stephens; her son-in-law, James Wood; her ex-husband, Mansel Richardson, Jr. Although they were divorced, she and Mansel remained friends and shared holidays and other special occasions together with family.
Joyce is survived by her four children: Hilda Thomas and husband Dusty of Lubbock, Wanda Wood of Leander, Robin Holder and husband Danny of Lubbock, and Timothy Richardson and wife Louise of Lubbock. Joyce, or “Mee Maw” as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren: Stephanie Gannaway and husband Jay of San Angelo, Paula Sonnenberg and husband Lee of Lubbock, Wende Wood Juarez of Leander, Jamie Wood of Leander, Paige Mandell and husband Chris of El Paso, Caleb Holder of Lubbock, Ryan Richardson and wife Erin of Lubbock, and Logan Richardson of Lubbock; great-grandchildren: Silas, Sadie, and Scout Sonnenberg, Savannah Thames Golden, Sierra Wood-Gonzalez, Leighton Wood, Ethan and Bowen Dean “Bodie” Gannaway, and Madison and Sydney Mandell. Joyce’s two great-great-grandchildren are Bentleigh Golden and Kenzleigh Johnson.
The family would like to thank the owners and employees of Promiseland Assisted Living-Kingsgate for the attentive, loving, and professional care that Joyce received there during the last months of her life.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 7, 2019 at Resthaven Funeral Home.
Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 8, 2019 in the Abbey Chapel at Resthaven Funeral Home.
Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers family requests donations be made in Joyce's name to any of the listed charities.
