Joyce Aileen Mace

Joyce was born in San Benito, Texas on April 15, 1924 to Mamie Crockett Wilds and Floyd Eugene Wilds, Sr. She graduated from Rio Hondo High School in 1941, and married Pius Martin Davis, Jr. on July 27, 1942. She suffered a devastating loss when he was killed while in flight training in World War II in 1943.

On September 18, 1946, Joyce married Robert Curtis Mace, a man who had been a friend of both Joyce and Pius for many years. Joyce and Robert were married for 71 years before his passing in 2017. They loved spending time together and with their family. They loved getting together with friends, at various times in their lives square dancing, playing 42, and playing bridge, a game at which Joyce was very good.

Joyce was a very intelligent woman. For many years, she prepared income tax returns, both for H&R Block and then as a private preparer. She continued to prepare tax returns into her 90s! Since her birthday fell on Tax Day, she rarely got to enjoy it, but she did get many cakes that said “Many Happy Returns!”

Joyce was also a very giving woman. A wise man recently said “Here is the thing about life: There is no accounting for what fate will deal you. There are some days when we need a hand. There are other days when we're called on to lend one.” Joyce was always there to lend a hand. She was a Christian and lived the life of a Good Samaritan. Anyone who needed help knew she would be there for them. She took in the homeless, fed the hungry, and loaned or gave money to those in need.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husbands, Pius Martin Davis, Jr. and Robert Curtis Mace, Sr., her parents Mamie Crockett Wilds and Floyd Eugene Wilds, Sr., her brothers Floyd Eugene Wilds, Jr, and David Warren Wilds.

Joyce is survived by her children, Paula Bushon and husband Kevin Galbreath, Robert C. Mace, Jr., and Sandra Martinez and husband Daniel; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Joyce’s caregivers Ellen Garza, Cindy Abbott, Susie Duncan, and Elsa Terrasoz.

Joyce will be remembered by all who knew her as a smart, generous, and loving person. She will be missed.

Please join the family in their online celebration of the life of Mrs. Joyce Mace by clicking the link:

https://youtu.be/msyGnvpZJGc