Joyce Ann Roach

Joyce Ann Gibson Roach, age 89, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, in Southlake, Texas. She was born on December 18, 1935, in Cleburne, Texas to Anna Pearl Hartman Gibson and David Henry Gibson. Joyce was raised in Jacksboro, Texas and graduated Jacksboro High School, holds Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Texas Christian University and did post-graduate work in English at the University of North Texas. She married Claude D. Roach in 1958, had two children, and lived most of her life in Keller, Texas.

Joyce Gibson Roach is a retired TCU adjunct English professor. She taught English and history at Keller High School, and in-service courses for Regional XI Educational Service Center in Fort Worth where she also designed reviews for the writing portion of the first Teacher Competency Exams. She is an author of non-fiction books, short fiction, and juvenile fiction, a folklorist, grassroots historian, rancher, and naturalist. She is a lifetime member and Fellow of Texas State Historical Association and of Texas Folklore Society, a member of Texas Institute of Letters, Philosophical Society of Texas, lifetime member of West Texas Historical Association and of the Horned Lizard Conservation Society of which she is a past national president, and Honoree in the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Joyce is a three-time Spur Award winner from Western Writers of America.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Claude, her mother, Ann, and father, Dave. Joyce is survived by her son, Darrell Roach and wife, Connie; daughter, Delight and husband, Brooke Justice; grandchildren, Felicia Maye Barshay, Claude Darrell Roach, III (Trey), and Hollyann Victoria Roach; step-grandchildren, Cole Landon Justice and Austin Reid Justice; great-grandchildren, Maylee Annabelle Barshay, Brayden Keith Barshay, and Annabeth Pearl Roach; and step great grand-children Ava Jade Justice and Madison Paige Justice. Burial will be private. The Celebration of Life service at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is by invite only and has reached maximum capacity. Please join the livestream of the service on Saturday, August 2nd at 11:00 AM by clicking the “JOIN LIVESTREAM” link under SERVICES below.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame using the following link. To donate in memory of Joyce Gibson Roach, please include her name or details in the comments box at checkout or call Ellen at 817-509-8967 and give her the name you would like associated with this donation.

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