Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Witte, Jr.; son, Edward James Witte; parents, Floyd Estell and Mary Elsie Duke Bledsoe; brothers, Ernest Bledsoe, James Bledsoe, and Lawrence Bledsoe; and sisters, Norma Carter, Ruby French, and Floy Hartman; and granddaughter-in-law, Reagan Witte.
Joyce Juanita Bledsoe Witte was born and raised in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, to her parents, Floyd and Mary Elsie Bledsoe. After graduating from high school a semester early, Joyce began working as a switchboard operator for the Bell Telephone Company. The following November, Joyce married the love of her life, Edward Witte, Jr. and shared 62 years together.
Joyce proudly became the first student from Okmulgee to receive the Frank Phillips Scholarship. This achievement allowed her to attend Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where she became the first member of her family to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Together, Joyce and Ed made their home in several states, including Oklahoma, Kansas, Michigan, California, and Texas. Throughout the years, she worked as a schoolteacher and held various positions in state government, ultimately serving as an instructor for Eligibility Workers in Texas.
After retirement, Joyce and Ed traveled the world alongside her sister, Floy, making memories and experiencing the beauty of places they visited. In her later years, Joyce became a storyteller, entertaining friends and family with tales from her life, sharing laughter, and memories from her many experiences.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Terry Eugene Witte (Barbara); daughter, Dianne Witte LaFleur (Stephen); grandchildren, Virginia Juanita Vidacak (Joseph Vidacak, Jr.), Edward Adam Witte, Erin Estilette (Casey), Genevieve LaFleur, David LaFleur (Namek), Forrest Lambert LaFleur (Megan), Hannah LaFleur (Patrick Blalock), and Cameron LaFleur (Gabrielle Vontz); great-grandchildren; and many other family and friends.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be Virginia Vidacak, Adam Witte, Erin Estilette, Genevieve LaFleur, Forrest LaFleur, Cameron LaFleur, and Casey Estilette.
Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Witte and Stephen LaFleur.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Brookdale Nursing Home for the love, compassion, and attentive care they provided, as well as to her sweet and devoted hospice nurses for their kindness, comfort, and support.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Joyce’s memory can be sent to a charity of the giver’s choice.
Visitation will be held at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038, on October 19, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:45am, followed by a Chapel Service at 11:45am
A Committal Service will take place at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038 at 1:00pm.
