Wilma Jean Luce

Memorial services for Wilma Jean Luce, 89, of Tyler, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at Lloyd James Funeral Home, with Dr. David O. Dykes officiating. Jean passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of January 10.

Jean was born September 21, 1924, in Blevins, Arkansas. She was the last of seven children born to Henry Franklin and Mittie Clementine Springer Tate. She is preceded in death by her brothers Foy Tate, Guy Tate, and Cecil Tate, and her sisters Vera Tate and Clyda Lee Tate Presley. Her sister, Marie Tate Tye, lives in Texarkana, Texas. She also is survived by sisters-in-law Elizabeth Eads Melleby and Janette Ottwell Eads.

Jean grew up in a loving, Christian family, and had a happy childhood on a simple country farm. Before graduating from Blevins High School in 1942, she had begun to develop her inherited love and talent for music. She was selected to sing in the Glee Club trio, and she learned to play the mandolin, xylophone, and banjo in the band. Especially gifted at the piano, Jean taught herself how to play any tune by ear. She shared her musical talents throughout her life, not only with family and friends, but also by singing in church choirs, serving as song leader and pianist in Sunday school classes, and as guest pianist for several retirement homes and civic organizations in her community.

Jean met Norman Dale Eads at Southern State College in Magnolia, Arkansas, and they married in 1944. She taught music in public schools before joining Dale in his furniture business. In 1963 they moved their family and business to Tyler. They had a shared passion for traveling, and were fortunate to visit 49 states and several countries during their time together. After Dale passed away in 1981, Jean met Loyd D. Luce of Tyler, a retired comptroller for Story-Wright Office Supply. They married in 1985 and had eleven wonderful years together before his death in 1996.

Jean's children are Norman Eads, of Tyler, Wanda Eads Read of Great Mills, Maryland, Wendell (Anita) Eads of Richardson, and Carol Eads (Greg) Duncan of Rowlett.

Jean's eleven grandchildren are David (Cindy) Eads, Jeff (Jodi) Eads, Michealle Eads (Joe) Spencer, John (Kelly) Eads, Alan (Arlena) Eads, Carrie Duncan, Krystin Duncan (Nick) Gerlach, Rachel Eads, Savannah Read, Emily Eads, and Gregory Duncan.

Jean's twelve great-grandchildren are Jeremy (Heather) Spencer, David Eads III, Taylor Eads, John Michael Eads, Garrett Eads, Alana Rae Eads, AJ Eads, Jr., Jeffrey Eads, Jr., Preston Read, Lexi Eads, David Charles, and William Gerlach. Her great-great-grandchildren are Wyatt Spencer and Brandon Eads.

Jean's family also includes many loving nieces and nephews, and her step-daughter-in-law, Rosemary Luce, and step-grandchildren, Lauri Luce (Bill) Matthews and Sarah Matthews. Other family members are Judy Hall, Martin Read and Rosalind Eads. Her family acknowledges with gratitude the loving friendship given to her by neighbors Burton and Shay Crumpton, and Shania Thompson.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, David, Jeff, Alan, John, Gregory, and Jeremy. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M. on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at Lloyd James Funeral Home.

Jean lived her life according to her favorite scripture, Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd". She had a smile that would light up any room, and a laugh that would warm your heart. To her children and grandchildren, she was the best friend they could ever have. She was comforting and supportive, and will be missed by all who knew her as a gentle, kind, and beautiful soul.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home, Tyler, Texas.

Jean lived her life according to her favorite scripture, Psalm 23, "The Lord is my Shepherd". She had a smile that would light up any room, and a laugh that would warm your heart. To her children and grandchildren, she was the best friend they could ever have. She was comforting and supportive, and will be missed by all who knew her as a gentle, kind, and beautiful soul.