Joyce Laverne Devenport Wilcoxson

Joyce was born on September 2, 1937 to Loretta and Buster Devenport of Wolfe City, Texas, and was the oldest of three daughters. Her family moved from Wolfe City to Dallas, Texas, where she later attended Crozier Technical High School.

Joyce met Billy Ray Wilcoxson, and they were married on July 8, 1954.

Joyce and Billy lived in the Dallas area and raised two sons, Steven Ray and Larry Gene. During these years while raising her children she very active in the P.T.A. She also worked as a Food & Beverage Demonstrator in grocery stores, at marketing events, and the Food Pavilion at the State Fair of Texas. Joyce was a longtime member of Pleasant Terrace Baptist Church. She also enjoyed cooking, reading, bowling and going to the movies.

She especially enjoyed baking desserts for family and friends. Even her doctors and dentist received special treats from her. Joyce had a way of letting others know they were important to her and appreciated. She personally loved desserts and she often teased about eating her dessert first so there would be no chance of being too full after her meal to enjoy it. Joyce also enjoyed attending bible study groups, listening to gospel music and learning about God’s word. She aspired to grow in her faith, and her walk with the Lord was important to her.

Joyce loved children and babies and cared about everyone’s as if they were her own. She cherished each and every child that came into her life no matter how they arrived there. She shared close relationships with her nieces and nephews and their children and was always there with a warm hug, a kind word, a good meal, a shoulder to lean or a place to stay. She watched over the lives of not only her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren, but also those of her nieces, nephews, their children and their children’s children. Several generations of children spent time with Joyce and they all loved her as much as she loved them.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Loretta and Buster Devenport, and her sister Mary “Sissy” Dial.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Billy Ray Wilcoxson; their sons, Steven Ray Wilcoxson and Larry Gene Wilcoxson; her granddaughters, Le Cresha Wilcoxson and Nichole Wilcoxson; her grandsons Thomas Cheshier, Christian Wilcoxson, Benjamin Wilcoxson and Samuel Wilcoxson; and many great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Ruth Ann Karr; her many nieces and nephews as well as their children; many extended family members and friends.

Joyce gave much love to many throughout her life and received much love in return. She was dear to us all and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 18, 2016 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M., and Funeral Services will be Friday, February 19, 2016 at 10:00 A.M., all at Grove Hill Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Grove Hill Memorial Park.