Mrs. Bruce attended Oklahoma State University and assisted in the establishment of her husband’s private veterinary practice. Joyce was a passionate flower gardener, pastel artist, needle worker and weaver of pine straw baskets. She loved playing games with family and friends, most recently with her weekly “hand and foot” card game group. She belonged to various organizations, including the Louisiana Forest Farmers Association, Sulphur Garden Club, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as a Youth Sunday School Teacher and AWANA leader at First Baptist Church, Sulphur. Family was very important to her and she emphasized spending time together as a family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Dr. Joseph E. Bruce; her parents, Aaron P. Lounsberry and Victoria Guillott Lounsberry; one sister, Esther Louise Lounsberry Nichols; and six brothers, Winnie Horace Lounsberry, John Eugene Lounsberry, Julius Lounsberry, Aaron Peter Lounsberry, Jr., Edward Lounsberry, and Charles Victor Lounsberry.
Those left to cherish her memory are her three sons and their spouses: John Bruce (Karen Tillman), William Bruce (Donna Wing), both of Sulphur, La., and Thomas Bruce (Amy Edge) of Longville, La. Also, fondly remembering her will be her six grandchildren, Lauryn Bruce (Jess), of The Woodlands, Tx., Sara George (Brandon) of Bossier City, La., Ashley Koch (Matt), AnnaMarie Breaux (Thomas) and Joel Bruce, all of Lake Charles, La., and Hannah Bruce of Longville, La. She had six great grandchildren who will miss her dearly: Kaylin, Emily, and Abby George; and Joseph, Andrew, and Caroline Koch. She will be remembered fondly by her numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
A Celebration of Joyce's life will be held at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home in Sulphur, Louisiana on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 11:00 am, with Pastor Michael Linton officiating. Visitation will begin at the funeral home on Wednesday, from 9:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Perkins Cemetery in DeQuincy, Louisiana.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com.
