Edra Joyce Stephenson McNabb passed from this life on November 29, 2020. She was born in Sweetwater, Texas, on May 25, 1925, to Herbert Cline Stephenson and Minnie. She was the fourth of five children. Parents and siblings preceded her in death.
She married Fred Esly McNabb on July 11, 1944. They lived on the family farm near Ropesville where they raised cotton, Shetland ponies, and four children. Fred preceded her in death July 1986.
She is survived by her four children: Bobby McNabb and his wife Joyce of Ropesville, Kathy Brown of Lubbock, Freda Montgomery of Lubbock, Mary Schrampfer and her husband Sully of Merkel; eleven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren,and one great-great grandchild.
Another set of children she loved were the children from Fred’s previous marriage; Lila Mae Nutt, Billie Louise Mills, and Dr. W. Lee McNabb; three preceded her in death. The three added eight grandchildren who grew up loving their Papa and Cita.
Joyce’s name of endearment, Cita, was given by the first grandchild who could not (or would not) pronounce mamacita, the name Joyce had chosen to be called. After the first grandchild insisted she was “Cita,” everyone called her Cita. That is her name recognized by family, friends, community, and her family of church members.
Joyce grew up a devout Christian, and since her marriage, worshiped with the faithful Christians at the Church of Christ in Ropesville. She taught generations of children that Jesus loves them. She was a model of love, charity, hope, humility, and devotion for all those she taught and for all those who knew her.
She enjoyed music and would sing to teach and comfort, to worship and to celebrate. She taught herself to play the dulcimer and would sing and play for her beloved husband.
Her love of art, beauty, and nature led to her most prolific pastime—China painting. She had a talent for catching subtle colors, shading, and light to create exquisite pieces that future generations will treasure.
She enjoyed traveling, starting with family vacations that included extended road trips, camping trips, and destination trips that were reached by a plane piloted by her dear husband. Later in life she became a world traveler, experiencing all parts of the world from the Vatican in Italy, to Alaska, to Morocco and beyond. She attended painting workshops all over the US, Native Indian dances in New Mexico, and musicals at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. Often, much to the delight of the grandchildren, she would invite one or two of them to accompany her on a trip. It might be a camping trip to the mountains, a cruise to Hawaii, or a week near the beach; whatever the destination might be, be assured that the grandchildren had a wonderful time and that she delighted in their enjoyment.
Her last several years were spent at Carillon Assisted Living in Lubbock, where she made many friends among the residents and staff. She shared in many of the daily activities and especially enjoyed the musical sessions.
She loved to travel, to experience, to meet people, to learn; but then she loved to come home, to the peace and beauty and comfort of her farm, to be near those she loved.
She made a difference.
She was deeply loved.
She will be missed.
Please visit www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
