Joyce Varner

Joyce Stewart Varner was born in Texarkana, Arkansas on December 27, 1940 to Carrie and Jesse Stewart and remained a proud Arkansas resident for her entire life. Surrounded by family, she passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2023 after a brief illness. She is preceded in death by her parents, Carrie and Jesse Stewart, her husband of 56 years Bill Varner, Sr., her sister Carrie Lynn Galloway, and her most beloved grandson Trey Varner.

Joyce graduated from Arkansas High School in 1958 and remained the social chairman of her class, keeping them all in touch and gathering often for reunions. After receiving her teaching degree from Henderson State University she began teaching kindergarten in the Texarkana Arkansas schools. She ran her own daycare center for several years and then finished her teaching career at Williams Memorial Church.

Joyce's natural flair for decorating and cooking led her to a successful career in the catering business and then later as the manager at Texarkana Country Club. It was here that she met and mentored the girls that became "3 chicks" and they always referred to her as the 4th chick. She loved making wedding cakes and took great pride in making sure her brides were taken care of. Her chocolate grooms cake was legendary along with her coconut cake, fresh peach pie or Bill Jr's favorite chocolate meringue pie - all which she loved making and sharing with her friends. Joyce was the author of two cookbooks and contributed recipes to many others over the years but never the ones she was famous for!

She loved sharing her talents with many volunteer organizations but her love and focus was on her beloved church, First United Methodist. She remained a steadfast member there from baptism until burial. The church recognized her lifetime devotion and service by declaring August 23, 2015 as "Joyce Varner Day" by proclamation, an honor that she was most proud of. Joyce also received the Jack Hardy Volunteer award from the Arkansas School District and later was recognized as having achieved "Lifetime Razorback" status. Joyce is a past president of the Sue Sanderson Garden Club and remained an active member until 2022.

Joyce is survived by her son Bill Varner, Jr. and his wife Sandy, brother-in-law Tommy Galloway, nephew Curtis Galloway and wife Leah, niece Corrie Galloway Flora, brother-in-law Joe Charles Varner and wife Linda,and niece JoLynn Varner, and special cousin Lynda Poore. She leaves behind a host of extended family and many friends that became family over the years. Whether you called her Mrs. Joyce, Nanny V, Mama Joyce or her least favorite moniker "BJ", to know her was to love her. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary or grandchilds name as she kept impeccable records of all in her little calendar.

Services will be on Tuesday, April 25 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Texarkana Arkansas with visitation to follow in the Cabe Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Temple Memorial Pediatric Center, the Trey Varner Memorial Scholarship fund, or the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be left at www.eastfuneralhomes.com