Joyce Calhoun Ritchie

Joyce was born on October 13, 1931 in Gatesville, Texas, daughter of Joe and Minnie Calhoun and joined her beloved husband of 67 years on July 16, 2023. She was the youngest of five children (two sisters and two brothers). She grew up in a different time, with her father tending cattle and farming and her mother sharing many of the farm tasks. Later her family settled in Temple, Texas, where she graduated from high school. She married her high school sweetheart, Ray, on January 6, 1950.

Shortly after they married, Ray joined the Air Force, and they were stationed in Denver, Colorado. In 1952, they were transferred to Mobile, Alabama, where their first child, Marsha, was born. About two years later, they relocated to Rome, New York, where their second child, Michael was born. Following Ray's discharge from the service they settled in Houston, where Ray worked programming computers. In 1957, their youngest son, Mark was born. Joyce stayed busy with three young children, volunteering in church, and sewing most of her and the children's clothes.

Ray and Joyce have five grandchildren (Andrea Smith, Andrew Harris, Amanda Garcia, Elizabeth Warren, and Corinne Ritchie), 14 great grandchildren (Katherine Ritchie, Joseph Church, Ella Church, Dillon Smith, Dalton Smith, Hunter Garcia, Bennett Garcia, Ava Warren, Lounora Harris, Heston Smith, Peyton Warren, Henry Harris, Charlie Harris, and Nicole Ritchie).

Joyce began working outside the home in 1964, working in a variety of clerical positions. Despite the lack of formal training, she built accounting skills and managed multiple books. She became a valued and trusted advisor to the firm's owner as an Executive Administrator and an Officer of the Company. After retiring, she continued to use many of those skills as a volunteer in the church office.

Joyce deeply loved her family, and especially treasured time she spent with the 'grands' and the 'greats'. She was richly blessed sharing daily life and major milestones with lifelong friends. She was committed to her community and church.