Joyce Elaine (Stewart) Wallace

Joyce Stewart Wallace, age 93, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 3, 2023.  She was a loving and caring mom, a supportive and compassionate community member, teacher, and friend.  As a result of her generous spirit and gentle personality, she was loved by all who knew her and she will be dearly missed.

Joyce was born in Silsbee, Texas on November 29, 1929 to Cicero and Gladys Stewart. She was raised in Silsbee as a young child, then the family moved to Hull-Daisetta, Texas during the depression. Her sister, Jeanette, was born in 1938 and the family moved back to Silsbee in 1939.  Joyce spent the remainder of her years living in and loving her Silsbee community.  

Joyce graduated from Silsbee High School in 1946 and received her Bachelor's degree in Education from Sam Houston State College in 1950.  Joyce and her former spouse, Sidney Wallace, were blessed with the birth of their son, Randy, in 1950 and their daughter, Debbie, in 1958. Joyce was a devoted mother.  She was kind and caring, and a wonderful role model to her children and grandchildren. 

Joyce loved teaching.  She was a teacher in Silsbee for her entire career of 43 years. She taught both English and French and she passionately loved her students, many of whom she kept up with through the years. Their cards and letters to her when she lived in the nursing home in later years brought her such joy and happiness.     

Joyce loved music.  She sang for high school functions, played the flute, and was Drum Major during her junior and senior years.  Joyce also loved the Lord and she intertwined her love of music with her passionate church devotion.  She became an impressive pianist and organist, and devoted many years of her life to playing at the First Christian Church in Silsbee.  After its closure, she joined the First Methodist Church and became a devoted member of the choir.  She and Pastor Dan teamed up on many joyous Saturday mornings at Silsbee nursing homes, where she played the piano and he sang for the residents and staff. Joyce was also a devoted member and teacher of her beloved Victery Sunday School class for many years at the First Methodist Church. Throughout her life, she held an unwavering faith in God which she shared with those who surrounded her.     

Joyce loved her Silsbee community and faithfully participated in and supported many local activities throughout her lifetime.  She was the last surviving founder of the Silsbee Public Library. She belonged to the Silsbee chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority since 1953, and she deeply loved all of her sorority sisters.  She was a member of the 20th Century Literary Club for 50 years. Joyce also maintained close relationships with many of her graduating class members over the years.  Their annual class reunions were always a memorable time and full of “shenanigans”. During her retirement years, she was Secretary of Hardin County Retired Teachers Association for many years and she volunteered weekly at the Christian Care Center.  She exemplified a life of charity and community service.     

Joyce also had an avid interest in gardening.  She grew up working in the garden and tending the family’s animals. After retirement, Joyce was happy to once again be able to spend much time out in her yard, tending her garden and enjoying nature.  She had two beloved Cairn Terriers who spent much time in the garden with her.  She also loved trips to her beach cabin with family and friends.    

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Cicero and Gladys Oglesbee Stewart, and her son, Randy Wallace.  She is survived by her sister, Jeanette Tobey; her daughter, Debbie McClelland and husband Ricky, grandchildren Marita Harrell, Caroline Calhoun and husband Rocky, all of Silsbee, Elizabeth Sobczak and husband Tyler of North Richland Hills, TX, Rebecca Emery and husband Jacob of Missouri City, Texas, and Derek Wallace and wife Mary of Tulsa, OK; former daughter-in-law, Majane Martin and husband Jim of Sugarland, TX, as well as many beloved great grandchildren.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Christian Care Center, the First Methodist Church of Silsbee or the Silsbee Public Library, all of which were important to Joyce.

Visitation will be at 1 PM on Sunday, May 7th at Farmers Funeral Home.  Services will be held at 2 PM in the Farmers Funeral Home chapel, with burial immediately following at Knupple Cemetery in Silsbee. 

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