Joyce C. Hancock

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Joyce Charlene Hancock, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

Joyce was born on September 23, 1927 at home in Heavner Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Chester (Stub) Russell and Zora Russell. Raised in Oklahoma and San Diego area of California, she was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Joyce was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Joyce was generally able to avoid conflicts. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Joyce also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends. Joyce was raised with Two Siblings. She had a younger sister, JoAnne and younger brother James. Joyce was constantly involved in activities with her family. Joyce and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

Growing up, Joyce was one of those children who didn’t need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. She was content to entertain herself. In just about everything she did as a child, Joyce was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other children around her. Joyce took part in a number of activities as a child. In her spare time, she liked to read and eat Mr. Goodbars.

Joyce enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Joyce was generally quiet in class learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Joyce was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school career. She graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1945. Joyce enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was English.

Those who were privileged to know her learned that she was a solid, good friend. Joyce was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. Because of this, Joyce best trusted those people that she truly knew. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that she made, Joyce kept. While growing up, one of her best friends was Peggy Burrie. Later in life, she became friends with John and Roberta Graves, Peggy and Eddie Burrie and ladies of Paradise Hills Church and Webster Pontiac b.o.a.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Joyce. On January 10, 1943 Joyce was married to William Page Hancock by a Justice of the Peace at San Diego, California. She was totally committed to William and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Joyce naturally sensed her spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Joyce disliked conflict, she did not take flight from discord. Rather she sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

Joyce was a good mother to her children. She had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her, always thinking before acting. In addition, Joyce was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around her might be, she seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Joyce was blessed with 2 Children, One daughter Susan and One son William. She was also blessed with 4 Grandchildren: Denise, Karrie, Jeremy and Tori.

If you gave Joyce a deadline, she would meet it. At work, Joyce was always on task. Without hesitation, Joyce could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. Her primary occupation was cashier. She was employed for 20 years by Webster Pontiac. During that time, Joyce excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. She was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Joyce was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Joyce had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. She was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

Joyce liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Joyce's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Joyce preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on her hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were reading, crossword puzzles, travel, gardening, playing with grandchildren and church.

Due to her excellent organizational skills, Joyce was a welcome addition to the professional and community organizations to which she belonged. Joyce could bring established, successful methods to the discussion table along with a generous helping of common sense. Joyce was good at making and keeping schedules and never got bogged down in unnecessary details. Throughout her later years, Joyce was an active member of the San Diego Women's Club and PTA.

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, her faith was important to Joyce. Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in her personal beliefs. She was a member of Paradise Hills United Church of Christ for 60 years. During that time, she was Deaconess, Sunday School teacher, Trustee, Search Committee and Bulletin Committee, Pres of Women's Fellowship and Priscilla Circle, and participant in Bible Study.

Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Joyce had smooth sailing. Favorite vacations included Hawaiian Cruise, Oregon, Minnesota, Arizona, Washington DC, Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

Joyce had Fancy, a Dachoodle, Tina-Beagle and Austrialian Shepherd mix, and Brandon a brown tabby cat, who was her best friend. They all lived to ripe, old ages. Joyce was as loyal to her pets as they were to her.

When Joyce's retirement finally arrived in 1992, she was well prepared. She had taken the time to learn about her various options and chose her course wisely. Her new life involved staying in her home in Paradise Hills to be with her family. In retirement, she found new pleasure in gardening, travel and family events. She felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

Joyce passed away on July 9, 2010 at Sharp Hospital, Chula Vista, CA. She succumbed to respiratory failure. She is survived by her daughter and son Susan and Bill; her grandchildren, Denise, Karrie, Jeremy and Tori; and 6 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Services were held at Paradise Hills United Church of Christ, San Diego California. Joyce was laid to rest in La Vista Memorial Cemetery in National City California, next to her husband William.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Joyce was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs; thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Joyce was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical. Joyce Hancock was very literal with her words. You always knew where you stood with Joyce. She will be missed.