Joyce Bell Dobkins

Joyce Bell Dobkins Founder of Mayatex, Inc., Joyce Bell Dobkins, 91 peacefully passed away Wednesday, August 27th, in Austin, Texas. Members of her family and close friends were by her side. Joyce was born in Wellington, Texas, September 29, 1911, and was raised in Roaring Springs, Texas. She graduated Valedictorian in her class from Texas Tech University. While working at her father’s cotton gin in Glenn, Texas, she became the first woman in Texas, and the second woman in the world to receive a license to class cotton. In 1944 at the age of 33 she purchased an automobile in New York City and drove by herself to Guatemala on the newly opened Pan-American Highway. While living in Guatemala she became very knowledgeable of Mayan culture and textiles. Her love of the native textiles prompted her to start her own weaving business. Joyce, friend Louise Olenbush and sister Carmen Dobkins Drake founded Mayatex, Inc. Their first major success was the famous hand woven Guatemalan skirt, which was sold at Neiman Marcus and later in stores throughout the United States. The dyeing and weaving techniques she developed in her factory are still being used today in Guatemalan weavings. In 1959 Joyce and her sister Carmen moved the business to El Paso, where they began a “Cottage Industry” weaving saddle blankets in Juarez, Mexico. During these years Joyce developed innovative design and weaving techniques that set the standard for woven saddle blankets, tapestries and floor coverings throughout the world. Joyce actively worked in the business until the age of 83. Today the business that was started by this very modern and adventurous woman is thriving and is held in high regard within the equine industry. While in El Paso she was a member of Park Hills Christian Church, Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League and the Women’s Sunday Lunch Group. She is survived by her sister Carmen Drake, nephew James Drake, wife Colleen and daughter Elizabeth of Santa Fe, niece Pi Drake Crowley and son John of Austin, niece Glenda Hossley and sons David and James, niece Cliva Griffin, husband Dan and sons Monty of Ft. Worth and Joseph and wife Lisa of Austin. A memorial service with family and friends is to be held Saturday, September 6th at 2:00 p.m., at Park Hills Christian Church, 5701 Alabama, El Paso, Texas. Interment will be at City of Lubbock Cemetery, Saturday, August 30th at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Candlelighters of El Paso, 1900 N. Oregon, El Paso, Texas 79902 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar, Austin, TX 78705 – (512) 452-8811 You may view memorials online at www.wcfish.com