Joyce Lee Martin

Joyce L. Martin, 77, of Abilene, passed away on Sunday July 3rd, 2016 in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be from 6 - 8pm on Thursday, July 7th at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am, Friday, July 8th at Holy Family Catholic Church with Monsignor Fred Nawarskas officiating. Burial will follow at the Texas State Veteran's Cemetery, 7457 West Lake Road, Abilene, Texas 79601. Joyce was born on July 21, 1938 in Biloxi, MS to Wallace and Linnie Jacquot. She graduated from Biloxi High School in 1956 and married Robert L. W. Martin on August 3, 1958 in Biloxi. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from McMurry College in 1970. Joyce taught 1st and 2nd grade at Lee Elementary School for 32 years. She was involved in Beta Sigma Phi for 59 years, holding many offices such as City Council President, and all offices in her local chapter. Other organizations were President of American Business Women's Assn, International Reading Assn President, Texas State Teachers Assn President, District XIV President, Abilene Reading Assn President, Texas Reading Assn., Delta Kappa Gamma President & Secretary, Los Aficionados, Texas Wildflowers secretary & Red Hats. She was also in the choir for 42 years at Holy Family Catholic Church, the choir director from 1980-83, an Eucharistic minister, and in the Papal Choir in 1987. She was an AISD Lee Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Mardi Gras Queen in Biloxi in 1958, and in numerous little theater plays in Biloxi, Salina KS and Abilene. Joyce was preceded in death by both her parents. She is survived by her husband Bob, sons Robert L.W. Martin II & his wife Kathy of Edmond, OK, Richard W. Martin of Midland, TX, and Mark W. Martin of San Diego, CA. Also sister Wallis Ann Richards of Granbury, TX. Grandchildren Robert L.W. Martin III and wife Annie, Amanda Cook and husband Will, Katie Smith and husband Kyle, Logan Martin, and Great Granddaughter Lexi Martin. Pallbearers will be sons Robert, Richard, and Mark, nephew Ben Richards, grandson Robert, Will Cook, and Kyle Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Meals On Wheels Plus, Inc., PO Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604. We wish to extend our sincere thanks to the nurses & doctors who took care of Joyce and the friends that visited with her the past 2 years in her fight with Alzheimer's.