Joyce Barron

Cherry Joyce Jones Barron, age 93, was born in Waco, Texas on the 28th of February 1933, and was adopted as a small child by Ida and Ira Jones, who adored her. They gave her a Christian upbringing and the love of music in the form of piano lessons, which remained with her the rest of her life. She also loved singing and spent much time in school and church choirs. She continued a close relationship with her birthmother, Berneice Kelley, who died in 1992.

Joyce attended Waco Public Schools and graduated with Honors from Waco High School in 1950. She graduated from Four C Business School and attended Baylor University. During this time, she was secretary to five lawyers, and then to two lawyers until she married.

She attended First Baptist Church, where, at age 15, met Bill Barron. He truly was the love of her life, and they married in 1953. They lived in Houston, where he went to work for Humble Oil & Refining Co, later Exxon.

Four sons were born to Joyce and Bill: Larry, Randy, Jeffrey and David. Bill and Joyce created a Christian home and were members of Willow Meadows Baptist Church for 52 years. They both sang in the choir, taught Sunday School classes, and co-directed a children's choir. They wrote original humorous skits at banquets across Houston and performed several times each year at these banquets. After moving to Sugar Land, they became members of Christ United Methodist Church from 2012 until Bill's death in 2019. She still maintains membership at Christ Methodist.

Bill and Joyce were season subscribers to Houston Grand Opera, the Alley Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, Houston Symphony, Pops, Company Onstage, Theatre Southwest, Cast theatre and Theatre Suburbia.

Some of the happiest times for them were the weddings of their sons, and subsequently the births of their eight grandchildren, who brought great joy into their lives. The ultimate time of their lives was their 50th wedding anniversary dinner in 2003 at Braeburn Country Club.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband William Loring "Bill" Barron in 2019; her parents, Ida and Ira Jones and Travis and Berneice Kelley; his parents, William L. Barron and Thelma Wright Barron; his brother, Thomas "Tommy" Wright and wife Margaret; her sister Barbara Kelley Holcombe and her husband Jack; and her brother Gene Kelley and wife Betty.

She is survived by her four sons and their families: Dr. Larry Barron (Delayne) and their children; Gregory (Melanie) Barron and their children Samuel, Emma, Isaiah and Jacob, daughter Kara (Austin) Lacey and their son Kit, and daughter Kayla Barron; Rev. Randy Barron and his children; daughter Jordan (Andrew) McIntosh and their children Liam and Harvey, son Caleb Barron, and daughter Hayley Barron and her son Peirson; Jeffrey Barron (Cheryl) and their children; daughter Angela (Jody) Gallant and their daughter Leona, son Brian Barron (Kaki) and their daughter Winona; David Barron; and many nephews and nieces.

Bill and Joyce traveled across the U.S. with their sons, and in 1980 started seeing foreign lands, completing journeys to over 90 countries.

Life was a precious gift. She touched all of us with her warmth, thoughtfulness, sense of humor and a smile that was her trademark. The quality of her life will be a constant inspiration and comfort to all who knew her.

Friends are cordially invited to greet the family during a visitation at ten o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 19th of September, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the funeral service is to commence at 11 o'clock.

The interment service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 21st of September, at Houston National Cemetery, 10567 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston.