Doyce Laverne Harmer

Doyce Laverne Phillips Harmer was born on May 2, 1939 in Arp, Texas, to Harvey Lee Phillips and Mildred Lorine Cox. She married Lloyd Pebsworth in 1955 and together they had four children, Vicky, Rex, Terri, and Paula. In 1968, she moved to Iowa. After a divorce, she married James Harmer in 1979. Jim and Doyce lived in Bettendorf, IA where she worked as a jeweler before moving to Merced, CA where they lived for nearly 40 years.

Doyce turned her lifelong passion for creating beautiful clothing and home furnishings into a small business, Designs by Doyce. She was well known for her custom suits, dresses and, especially, couture wedding gowns.

She attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and was a member of the Gardening, Coin and Optimist Clubs. She loved taking care of hummingbirds and her pets as well as gardening and grew beautiful African violets, begonias, roses, and orchids. She also enjoyed traveling overseas and exploring the United States, in particular national parks.

Doyce unexpectedly passed away at the age of 84 on October 26, 2023. She is survived by four children, Vicky Pebsworth (Merced, CA), Rex Pebsworth (San Diego, CA), Terri Pebsworth (Taipei, Taiwan), and Paula (Keith Riggle) Pebsworth (San Antonio, TX); two step-children, Renee (Damion) Piper (Phoenix, AZ), and Glenna Nordstrom (Burlington, IA); Sister Gayle Otto (Magnolia, TX); ten grandchildren, Abigail, Alex, Ben, Brooke, Bryce, Daniel, Madison, Megan, Sam, and Sierra; and four great grandchildren, Brienna, Holly, Jaxon, and Quinn.

Doyce is preceded in death by her husband James Harmer; brothers Weldon Phillips, James Phillips, and Harvey Lee Phillips; and sister Kathy Kronberg. Mrs. Harmer’s funeral will be held on Saturday, November 18th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Merced, CA at 11am (rosary at 10:30am). Reception to follow at Strings Italian Café. Burial will occur on Monday, November 20th at 10:00am at Bradford Cemetery in Troup, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to The American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – www.aspca.org – or a non-profit organization of your choice.

She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. She will be greatly missed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the Harmer family.