Joyce Marie Irvin's Obituary
Joyce Marie Irvin, age 84, residing in McKinney Texas at MHRC nursing facility, but formerly of Longview, Texas, passed away on November 11, 2016. Visitation is Saturday, October 19th, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, with service following at 12:00 pm at Rader Funeral Home, 1617 Judson Rd, Longview TX 75601, Burial will be at Laneville Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
Joyce was born October 9, 1932 to parents Lawrence & Dollie Moore of Laneville Texas. She and siblings, Ruby, Christine, Doris, Jean and brother Coy helped on their family’s truck farm. She also loved to play basketball for Laneville High. Joyce held a position as a telephone operator in Shreveport, Louisiana, but it was while working the counter at the Moses General Store in Henderson that she met Charlie, her late husband of 63 years. They shared a deep and abiding love that survived sand storms in West Texas, humid summers on the coast, and frequent moves across Texas and Florida with his work. She never met a stranger, making lifelong friends along the way. Traveling, gardening, and shopping for antiques and “pretties”, as she called them, were favorite activities.
A member of the ‘Lucky Squares’ square dancing club, Joyce sewed festive dance outfits for herself and friends. She also used her seamstress talents to create her children’s beautiful Easter suits and dresses. When it came time for possible college tuition payments, Joyce went to beautician school to add one more talent to her many others. She opened the ‘Lyn Mar K’ Beauty Salon on Whitehurst Drive using her skills as a stylist to help put all 3 kids through college. With all these talents it was an amazing skill at cooking that she ‘gifted’ us with the most. She started baking homemade biscuits at age 8 and never stopped creating wonderful food. Every dish filled with love.
Joyce was a faithful attendee of Winterfield United Methodist Church until residency in the Clairmont Nursing Facility several years ago. She survived cancer to face a 10 year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She will be missed and lovingly remembered by son and daughter-in-law, Marcus and Nancy Irvin of Plano TX; daughter, Linda deVilleneuve of McKinney TX; son, Kent Irvin of Cu Chi, Vietnam, and two surviving sisters, Doris Bush and Jean Owens. Joyce was also the proud grandmother of Charles Alexander Irvin, Kent Minh Irvin, Ashley Marie deVilleneuve and Austin Scott deVilleneuve.
Joyce was courageous, hard-working and intensely loyal. She mentored many children with a listening ear and a meal and doted on her 4 grandchildren. They loved their famous trips to “Dairy Queen” with Nana. She could be feisty and fun and you knew where you stood with her at all times. Her spirit will be missed on earth but oh what an addition to Heaven!
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