Funeral services for Joyce Hounshell of Lufkin will be held Monday, September 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jacob Fitzgerald officiating. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cross Cut Cemetery, near Cross Plains, Texas, with Brother Gary Hounshell officiating.
Joyce Hounshell died peacefully on September 20, 2024 at the age of 93. She was born April 5, 1931, the youngest of 6 children, to Lonzo and Bessie (Bingham) Ritchie in Coleman, County, Texas. Joyce married her husband, JC Hounshell, on March 25, 1950, just before her 19th birthday. They had no children but had a beautiful partnership based on love and commitment. They spent their early years in Abilene, Texas before moving to Lufkin in the 70’s to work for her sister and brother-in-law, Drapon and Dan Vines, at Lufkin Creosoting Co.
After retiring, Joyce and JC traveled the nation and world together going to JC’s numerous fiddling contests. She was always the driver in their adventures and would say “I put the pedal to the metal!” Then, would give her little laugh she was so well known for. During their travels, they spent countless hours with musicians, local and famous. Every person they met became family to them.
Joyce was an excellent cook and caretaker. She was famous for making chicken and dumplings, homemade rolls, blackberry cobblers and most especially her coconut cake for all family and friend get togethers. She took special care of so many, starting in her teens when she lived with her oldest sister, Barbara, who was struck with cancer at a young age, caring for her and her family. When JC was affected by Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and eventually became wheelchair bound, Joyce would do all the driving and lifted his wheelchair into the back of the vehicle. She said that was her workout. Later, her mother, Bessie, moved in with them and she cared for her into her 90s.
Joyce was an avid hunter and a crack shot with both shotguns and rifles. She enjoyed deer hunting with her family at the Bonner Farm for many years and dove hunting with friends and family in West Texas. She was a loyal member of Denman Avenue Baptist Church.
Joyce is survived by her husband of 74 years, JC Hounshell; and special nieces and nephews, Barbara and Bobby Ferguson, Nancy Vines, and David and Martha Vines, all of Lufkin, Marion and Lee Durand of Austin, Gary and Dana Hounshell, Travis Hounshell, Mary Beth McMillan, and Larry Hounshell of Brownwood, Mary Beth McMillian of Lubbock, Joyce Ann Grant of Denver, Colorado; and many, many more nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her five siblings and their spouses; and her nephews, Danny Vines and Horace Hounshell.
The family would like to express special gratitude to Visiting Angels and Affinity Hospice, along with their wonderful neighbors, Jim and Sandra Havard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Denman Avenue Baptist Church, 1807 E. Denman Ave, Lufkin, Texas 75901.
The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Monday morning prior to the service.
Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.
Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.