Joyce Burford Stewart

Joyce Burford Stewart, of Abilene, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the age 90. Graveside services will be at 10:00 am on Monday, February 21 at Elmwood Memorial Park. Rev. H.B. Terry will officiate. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Joyce was born August 21, 1920 in Lawn, Texas to Forney and Nelle (Burnes) Burford. She grew up in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School and Hardin Simmons University with a degree in education. While attending Hardin Simmons, Joyce was a member of the Cowgirls; she was always very proud of being a Hardin Simmons Cowgirl. After graduation, she taught school in Tuscola for one year and in Stamford for one year. Joyce taught the 6th grade in Pecos, Texas for 27 years. Joyce married Jimmy K. Stewart in Abilene in July of 1944. He preceded her in death in July of 1988. In 1999, Joyce returned to Abilene after living in Pecos for 29 years. She was a member and a deacon at the First Central Presbyterian Church in Pecos. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister, Mary Appleton. Joyce is survived by her brother, Edsel Burford of Abilene, two nieces, Laura Kute and husband Tommy also of Abilene and Carla Rawls and husband Ben of Houston. Memorials may be made in Joyce's honor to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604-903; or to the Salvation Army, 1726 Butternut, Abilene, TX 79602.