Joyce Lynne Liptak

Joyce Lynne Liptak, 78, of Oak Leaf, Texas, went to be with our Heavenly Father, March 1st, 2026. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 27, 1948 to Audrey (Getty) & James Burton.

The middle of 5 kids, Joyce found her peace and joy outdoors. Whether playing on the farm, caring for the neighbor's horses, or creating memories with her sisters, baby brother, and life-long friends, Joyce embraced life with open arms.

After graduating from Montour High School, where she excelled at field hockey, she soon began her career in bookkeeping. Introduced by friends, Joyce married the love of her life, Richard Liptak, August 19, 1966, when he returned after serving in the United States Air Force. Their love story was marked by shared memories on the water with Dave & Pat, water skiing, scuba diving any opportunity, traveling, and endless laughs with Randy & Babs (Leihgaber) Connor.

In 1987, Joyce and Richard settled in Oak Leaf, where they had the joy of raising their three children, Brian, Andrea, and Kevin. Joyce dedicated the next 39 years to family and community, becoming an Enrolled Agent, and founding her own company, Systematic Business Records. Joyce managed the family’s household like a well-oiled machine and ensured every meal was always delicious. In concert with her children’s many activities in and out of school, Joyce was always active whether ensuring her house was spotless, volunteering with her church, or her commitment to civic education and community service in rolls as City Council for Oak Leaf, member of Texas Telcom Credit Union Bank Board, and assisting campaigns and elections. Joyce loved her Lord Jesus Christ, her family, her friends who she also considered family, and her great country!

Joyce defied the laws of time during her first 70 years of life, accomplishing, attending, helping, supporting, serving, active in every cause and circumstance she could. After completing her scuba training for the 2nd time, Joyce delighted her daughter and granddaughter when she joined them on a cruise and relished 4 ocean dives, making memories as 3 generations simultaneously defied more laws breathing underwater together. Nothing could stop her then, and despite sustaining a complete spinal cord injury in late 2018, resulting in a quadriplegic state, Joyce’s spirit remained unbroken. She continued to be active in her church, house management, consulting, and voting. Her Family of Jesus Followers at Bear Creek Baptist Church rallied for her, and proved family is not defined only in biology, but with the individuals who show up when you need them the most. Some of her most cherished later memories revolve around the Gomez family, Al & Pam Holtz, Brother Nick & Carol Harris, & the Purtle family, all of whom relentlessly poured back into her later years, which filled her heart.

Regardless of Joyce’s physical injury she maintained her love and faith in Jesus, and with her wonderful caregiver, who also became family, Manuela Dominguez, Joyce was able to remain at home with her family until her final days. She was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her passing and now is in the precious arm of our savior, Christ.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Richard Liptak, her children, Brian, Andrea, Kevin Liptak & partner Katrina Arce, her Beloved grandchildren, Aubrey Liptak & Brennan Macklin, Ethan Liptak & Erika Michaels, Hannah Liptak Harper (HannieB), (her father) Wayne Harper, and Ashlee. She is also survived by her siblings, Darlene Breinig, Jim & Claudia Burton, Susan & Nick Fantozzi, brother-in-law Pat Blumling, and nieces and nephews, Candi, Claire, Cassandra, John, Amber, Alea, Robin, George, & Stacy. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents James & Audrey Burton, brother-in-law, Roy Breining, and sister, Diana Blumling.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Bear Creek Baptist Church, 1810 S. Hampton Rd. Glenn Heights, Tx 75154 beginning at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, if you are interested in participating, please bring a dish to share for a potluck in honor of a woman who shared so much with others, and, as she often proclaimed, is now On To The Next Adventure!

Live feed for services can be found via YouTube & Facebook: https://youtube.com/@bearcreekbaptistchurch7377?si=xFcJMGHTEbOxRrUm https://www.facebook.com/bearcreekbaptistgh/