Joyce Marie Fulgham (nee Williams) passed away peacefully on July 28, 2024 with her devoted sons at her side.  Joyce was born on April 7, 1934 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, one of the youngest of eight children. Her father died when she was 12, and Joyce often spoke of her mother’s strength and determination to provide for the family by working days and obtaining a nursing license at night. Times were hard and the children were all expected to contribute. Among other responsibilities, young Joyce rose at dawn to make homemade biscuits and breakfast for the family, and while in today’s culture her youthful responsibilities may seem over-burdened, it was her hardships that cemented a loving, selfless and service-oriented spirit that left a lasting impact on her family, community, and all those she encountered.

Joyce met the love of her life, Bob Fulgham (1929-2019) when she traveled to Temple, Texas in her early 20s to assist an older sister with a newborn. She and Bob married and settled in Temple, where Bob embarked on a 42-year career with Santa Fe Railroad and Joyce began a decades-long career at Scott and White Hospital. Soon, they were blessed with two sons, Russ and Reece, and the young family enjoyed a wholesome life centered on family, nature, hard work, and faith. Their union was unique; filled with love, affection, and mutual respect. While she lived for five years after Bob’s passing, Joyce never truly recovered from losing the love of her life, and we are grateful that they are now together in the arms of our Lord.

Joyce was a life-long Baptist, an extrovert who loved people and enjoyed a myriad of activities including exercise, quilting, and RV travel and line-dancing with Bob. Kindness and patience best describe her, as evidenced in her consistently sweet and compassionate temperament.

Joyce leaves behind her sons, Russ (Lee Ann) and Reece (Leslie), seven grandchildren Katelyn, Hillary (Sam), Jessie (Jesse,) Justin, Connor, Hudson, and Heath, two great-grandchildren, Aspen and Noah, as well as her brother and sister- in-law, Charles and Connie Fulgham, nephew Keith and niece Lori, and their families.

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all.” (Proverbs 31:29.)

Visitation will be August 10, 2024 at the funeral home at 10:00 am.  Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Temple.