He was reared in Fifth Ward (Tha Nickel City) and was a proud graduate of Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston ISD.
Richard accepted Christ at an early age at Sloan United Methodist Church.
He met and married, Barbara Jean Ross and to this union, 3 daughters were born: Barbara, Frankie, Deborah. He later married Bessie Lee Echols and to this union 4 children were born: Brenda, Richard Jr, Calvin, Rhonda and 7 children were gained: Verna, Evelyn, Fannie, Jacqueline, Robert, Betty, Bertha.
Richard retired and was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1961, after 8 years of active duty. He earned several distinctive medals: National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Medal. He was ranked Private First Class (E-2).
After his military career, Richard Sr followed the footsteps of his father, Frank Aaron and was a loyal and dedicated employee for the Port of Houston for over 45 years. He retired from Local 28-The Grandfather for Life Union.
Richard had a beautiful spirit. He enjoyed spending time with family, cooking, dancing, fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed watching “Old Western” flicks. He was a sports fanatic, enjoying all types of sports.
After a lengthy illness, Richard Sr departed this life on June 21, 2022 to be with the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Essie Joyce, wife, Bessie Lee Joyce, five children Verna, Evelyn, Fannie, Jacqueline and Robert, one brother, James Joyce and four sisters, Frankie Kazee, Ruth McDowell Mattox, Novella Silas and Alice Saulter.
Loving memories shall forever be in the hearts of his children: Barbara Ann Lomax, (Gus-Deceased), Frankie Skipper-Hightower (Frank), Deborah L Robinson, Brenda Joyce Williams, Rhonda Harvey, Betty Gaines, and Bertha Meadows, sons: Richard Joyce Jr., Calvin Wayne Joyce (Debra), one sister: Helen Ray(John-Deceased), a special relative Delores Laverne Guillory, and a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
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