Joyce Elaine Hickman Wright

Texas’ biggest fan, Joyce (Bachan to her grands and greats) was born on a scorching-hot, non-air-conditioned day in Navasota, Texas. Joyce was passionate about gardening, hospitality, playing piano, knitting “scarves” and reading. She loved God even more; spending many mornings on the patio reading her Bible and enjoying the clouds.

Once married, Joyce and Morris boarded one of the first boats of new missionaries to Japan after WWII. They started several churches that still stand today; serving twenty six years before transferring to Jamaica for nine years, where they wrote literature for the Caribbean Publishing Project. Even in retirement they continued as interim pastors in Grand Cayman, finally settling in Fort Worth. Joyce volunteered as assistant principal for Heritage Christian Academy and later as receptionist at her son’s law firm.

For the past 8 years, she lived in Robert and Sandy’s home and was lovingly cared for by her grandchildren Mykah and Harold. They all found a way to laugh every day.

Joyce enriched all of our lives. Her character is woven throughout the lines of Proverbs 31: She is clothed with strength and dignity. She extends a helping hand to the poor and needy. She laughs in the face of adversity knowing her security is in Jesus. She is so much more precious to us than rubies so we rise up and call her blessed. She showed us how to love and be like Christ and we are jealous of what heaven has received in this dear Bachan of ours.

Joyce has joyfully reunited with husband of 75 years, Morris; parents, Thomas Bailey and Henrietta; brother Tom (Jodie); grandsons, Toby and Zach.

She is survived by her children, Sara Butler (Billy); Robert Wright (Sandy); and John Wright (Rhonda); grandchildren, Marc (Katie); Matt (Amberly); Jesse (Valerie); Mykah; Harold; Debra (Nate); and JonMarc (Hiromi); and great grandchildren: Frances, Hannah, Charlotte, Luke, Gavin, Jackson, Ethan, Noah, Noelle, Vincent, Eilan, Isaiah, Ameri, Jasmyne, Jayce; many nieces, nephews, cousins and life-long friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East Texas Baptist University, Marshall, Texas or Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas in memory of Joyce.