She was a lifelong resident of Houston – a city she truly loved. Though she lived outside Houston for a year or two at different times, her home, heart and family were always in Houston.
Joan married John Elton Lyons on the 31st of July 1958. After his death in 1980, she later married Louis E. Williams in 1986 until his untimely passing in 1988.
Joan was active in many social, philanthropic and medical organizations as well as the arts. She was a patron of the Houston Grand Opera and an ambassador of the Houston Ballet. She was also a lifetime member of the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as the Heritage Society and the Houston Zoological Society.
Joan was President of Baylor Ten at the Baylor College of Medicine for eight years and also served on the Board of The Hermann Eye Fund at UT Health Houston. She was a past President and Board member of the Huffington Center on Aging at Baylor College of Medicine.
Joan always treasured her Western Heritage and served in various capacities of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, including Past Chairman of the Ladies Box Seat Committee (now Trailblazers), and a Lifetime Director. The International Committee was particularly dear to her heart as it was the committee that was generously supported and reinvigorated by her parents.
Although, a true city lady, she thoroughly enjoyed the ranching life and the time she and her late husband spent on weekends at their ranch with family and friends. In later years, she enjoyed spending time at her children’s ranches.
Joan graduated from the Kinkaid School and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she was a member of the Beta Eta chapter of the Delta Gamma Fraternity. She was a founding member of the Delta Gamma Foundation of Houston and wholly supported its’ mission of Service for Sight.
Just a few of the many organizations to which she belonged included River Oaks Country Club, the Houston Club, the Petroleum Club, the Pelican Club, the Junior League of Houston, the One Hundred Club, of which she was a Lifetime Member.
Joan is preceded in death by both husbands; her parents Robert Taylor Herrin and Hazel Jackson Herrin; and two daughters, Bonnie Loretta Lyons and Deborah Jean Lyons.
She is survived by her children, Robert Ted Lyons and his wife Stacey, Linda Lyons Ewing and her husband Tom, and Talley Virginia Novotny; her grandchildren, USAF Brigadier General (Ret.) Robert G. Novotny and his wife Dawn, Eric J. Novotny and his wife Tara, Haley Lyons Gilliam and her husband Matthew, John Logan Lyons, Carson Elizabeth Brown, Kristin Lee Brown and Kathryne Taylor Brown; and five great-grandchildren, Hunter R. Novotny, Kaitlyn V. Novotny, Greer Elizabeth Gilliam, Margaret Eleanor Gilliam and Bonnie Louise Gilliam. Joan is also survived by her brother, Robert Taylor Herrin, Jr. and his wife Sandra; as well as many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She loved you all.
Many thanks to Joan’s long-time caregiver and dear friend to the whole family, Mrs. Flor Moncada. Also Alma Rodriguez, Veronica Vazquez, Fabiola Nunez, Norma Guardado and Juanita Medrano; and Telly Alkheder, CEO, Administrator of Dignified Nursing Home Health.
The family extends much appreciation to Dr. Mohammed Attar, Dr. Erik Maus and Mr. Paul Cotton, RN of A*Med Community Hospice for his gentle and caring assistance.
All are invited to a gathering of family and friends from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 17th of May, in the parlor and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
A memorial service and celebration of her life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 18th of May, at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where The Rev. Louise Samuelson, Associate Rector, and The Rev. Dr. Doug Richnow, Priest Associate, will officiate.
Proud to serve as Honorary Pallbearers during the services are LORS (Ladies of the Rodeo Society), the Cluckers, her favorite Saturday night ladies, and all other bridge and poker playing friends.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family and share remembrances of Joan during a reception to be held in the nearby Sumners Hall.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private entombment in the Memorial Mission Mausoleum at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to the TIRR Foundation at 3355 West Alabama, Suite 950, Houston, TX 77098; or to the charity of one’s choice.
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COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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