Joyce Curtis

Joyce Mae Curtis, 87, of Abilene, passed away on September 1, 2024 in Abilene.

 Visitation will begin at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Hillcrest Church of Christ Chapel, 650 E. Ambler. The memorial service will immediately follow in the chapel at 5:30 p.m. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Private burial will be in the Garden of Restful Oaks, Greenwood Memorial Park, 3100 White Settlement, Ft. Worth, TX.

 Joyce M. Curtis was born in Cleburne, TX to Robert and Maudie Curtis on August 27, 1937. She graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1955 and continued her education at North Texas State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1959 and a Master of Science in Physical Education in 1960. Her Doctor of Physical Education was completed at Indiana University in 1970.

 Dr. Curtis taught in the Kinesiology and Nutrition department at Abilene Christian University from 1959-2004. She was the founding head coach in 1961 of the first two official sports – volleyball and basketball – of ACU’s women’s intercollegiate program. While on leave to pursue her doctorate at Indiana University, Curtis organized IU’s first women’s tennis team and coached it until graduating in 1970. Upon return to ACU, she led the women’s basketball team until 1976 and the volleyball team until 1979 when she began a one-year assignment as assistant athletic director for women.

 Joyce was a member of Delta Psi Kappa, AAHPERD, TAHPERD, Phi Lambda Theta, United States Badminton Assoc., Women’s International Bowling Congress, Abilene Women’s Bowling Assoc. and Abilene Women’s Golf Assoc.

 Dr. Curtis was inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and received the Pathfinder Award from TAHPERD in 2008 and AAHPERD (now Shape America) in 2009.

 Joyce Mae Curtis was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Maudie Curtis and her brother Bob Curtis and his wife, Lolly. She is survived by her niece, DeeAnne (Curtis) Myers and great nephew, Samuel Blackard, both of Alvin, TX, and her favorite feline, Gabby.

 Dr. Curtis donated to numerous organizations over the years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Christian Homes and Family Services, Disability Resources Inc., or Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc. in Abilene. A special thank you goes to caregiver Christina Vincent for going above and beyond her duties and becoming a friend to Joyce.