Mrs. Joyce Hawkins Brown

Joyce Hawkins Brown, 77, of Lufkin, was born March 10, 1933 in Angelina County, Texas, the daughter of the late Naomi (Young) and Paul J. Hawkins. She passed away Sunday, September 26, 2010 in a local hospital. Joyce was a caring mother, grandmother and friend of many.

She was a very loving wife to Les for 42 years. She worked with the late Dr. J. C. Clement as his nurse for many years and later served as the Director of Surgery at Memorial Medical Center. She retired in 1983, but continued to work part-time as a nurse for Dr. Thomas Duncan. Joyce loved and cared for every patient with great compassion, touching the lives of many. Her unselfish ways were apparent in every life she touched. Joyce was a Christian woman and had a very devout relationship with God. She was a member of Fuller Springs Missionary Baptist Church.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Kay Hendricks; sons, Ray Brown and David Cunningham; granddaughter, Stephanie Wilson and husband Jarrod Wilson; grandsons, Josh Marberry and Casey Brown; great-granddaughter, Alexis Wilson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Tommie Hawkins and Ronnie and Lynda Hawkins; sister and brother-in-law, Dean and Robert Durant; sisters-in-law, Sue Warren and Brenda Warren; and a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Lester A. Brown; and brothers, James Warren and Ray Warren.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Thomas Willis, who cared for her throughout her illness. They also wish to extend a special thank you to Dr. Ravinder Bachireddy and all the staff at The Heart Institute of East Texas and a very special thanks to Brenda Warren.

Pallbearers will be Josh Marberry, Casey Brown, Jarrod Wilson, Bryan McBride, Harold Stansel and Jason Hawkins.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bryan Brown, Robert Holmes, Gabe Guijarro, Elton James, Danny Hampton, Ricky Hampton and Steve Marberry. Services for Joyce will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 29, 2010 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Thomas Windham officiating. Interment will follow in the Oak Ridge Family Cemetery in Fuller Springs.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com. Gipson Funeral Home; directors.