Joyce I. Wagner

Joyce Irene Wagner passed away on January 30th, 2016 in Houston, Texas with her family all around her. She was born on January 5th, 1932 in Portage, Pennsylvania to Ray and Elsie Moudy and four older brothers and sisters.

She studied education at Asbury College and theology at Nyack University where she received a certificate in the Old Testament and the study of David. She sang in various choirs and was an accomplished pianist that played everywhere from churches to Carnegie Hall. She became an elementary school teacher who later taught specialized services for adults with special needs and was a missionary in Costa Rica where she met the love of her life, Boyd Wagner. They had a whirlwind romance for five weeks and then stayed in touch via love letters for three months before reuniting to be married in Portage, PA. They later raised two amazing, red-headed daughters and would have been married 60 years this April.

Joyce was a professional artist, selling her signature black and white pen drawings at the Houston Historical society and zoos all over the country. She published three books, including a book of Psalms that she both wrote and illustrated with her own interpretation. She traveled all over the world to learn and experience everything she could and was a lover of pretty things, sweet treats and Jesus. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Boyd Wagner; daughters Diania Pace and husband Tom, and Darla Labasse and husband Albert; sister Lois Hampson; six granddaughters, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews - all of whom know that when they get to Heaven, she will be she will be at the Eastern Gate waiting for them, playing the piano for the choir of angels.

The visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016 at The Settegast-Kopf Funeral Directors at Sugar Creek. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016 at St. Lukes United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77027.