Joyce Wilson

Joyce was born in the middle of the Great Depression and had the responsibility to care for her younger siblings as well as her father, after the passing of her mother. This led to her having a strong personality and work ethic. Joyce recalled only having meat on Sunday, and that might be one chicken to feed the whole family.

When Homer, from Avinger, met Joyce from Jefferson at a high school dance, both were immediately smitten. Homer resembled James Dean and had a fast car; Joyce was the cute blond everyone wanted to date. After high school, Homer had a plan to work for Armco Steel and travel across the country putting up metal buildings. Joyce shared those dreams with Homer, and they married on January 12, 1953. Together they traveled, worked, and lived in Baltimore, South Bend, Columbus and finally moved back to Longview in 1974.

In the late 1970’s, Joyce received her Texas Real Estate license. She had a natural talent for selling real estate and if you were her client, she was totally focused on you. She sold many clients multiple homes and even sold homes to their children. She worked for Fugitt Realty, Century 21, and even owned her own firm, Joyce Wilson Realty.

Joyce and her husband were tithing members of First Baptist Church for over 40 years. Joyce was active in the choir and missionary funding campaigns. She also delivered Meals on Wheels for many years in Longview. Joyce was not comfortable unless she was pushing for progress.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Homer D. Wilson; her parents; her brother, Lewis Coats; her two sisters, Marceile Qualls, and Eva McMerrill.

Joyce is survived by her brother John Coats of Bloomburg and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sons, Mitch Wilson/wife Tracey and granddaughter Lindsey Wilson Hill/husband Jimmy/great-grandson Peyton Hill, all of Longview; Jay Wilson/wife Alicia, of Savannah, Georgia, grandson Grant Wilson, wife Alison, and great-grandson Weston of Savannah; granddaughters, Claire Spainhour/husband Shawn, of Salt Lake City; and Caroline Wilson and partner Alyssa Hippchen of Knoxville, TN.

A graveside service will occur Friday, October 17, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Lakeview Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held prior to the graveside service at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Lakeview Funeral Home.

The Family wishes to thank the Memory Care Staff of Parkview on Hollybrook, for the care of Joyce for the past 4 years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heartsway Hospice at P.O. Box 5608, Longview, Texas 75608.