Joyce Loden

Bernice Delilah and Aaron Mack Stevenson, and became a sister

to baby brother Mack Stevenson. She passed away in the comfort

of her family in the early hours of Thursday, March 6, 2013.

Joyce grew up in Groveton, where she met the love of her life

and beyond, William Thomas “Jack” Loden. She first saw Jack

while roller skating, but they didn’t officially meet until her 14th

birthday during a taffy pull, which was a complete and total setup

by her aunt Civility "Siddie" Moses Platt and Jack’s mother,

Minnie Bell Loden.

She loved him her whole life, and he loved her beyond his. Over

the course of their 58 years of marriage, they had four children

and four grandchildren. They also loved to travel and drove

through the majority of the continental US together, later sharing

that love of travel and learning with their children and

grandchildren.

Joyce was also a gifted teacher and friend. She taught school for

34 years, retiring in 1984, and served as a mentor to over 3,000

students throughout the course of her career. She was also a

member of Beta Sigma Phi, through which she aided countless

charities and encountered women who would become life-long

friends.

Joyce was preceeded in death by her father, Aaron Stevenson;

her mother, Bernice Delilah Stevenson; her brother, Mack

Stevenson; and her dear husband, Jack.

She is survived by her children Ann, Patty, Bill, and Callie, and

her grandchildren Erin, Steven, Kristen, and Grace.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 11

a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 221 Church Ave,

Groveton, Texas. Internment to follow.