Etta Joyce Gaubatz (Sugarbabe, Mom, Granny, and Sister) as she was loving know by her whole family, completed her earthly life Saturday, February 3, 2018. It was a hard earned rest after a tiring battle with many back surgeries, and a life so long with pain. Etta Joyce was born July 14, 1932, in Wilson, Texas to parents, James Denson and Elsie Hancock. She was the middle child, having an older brother, Harvey, and a younger sister, Opal. Her young life was spent in West Texas but her primary and middle school years saw many changes in schools as her family followed her dad's work in the oil fields. When she was a freshman, her family moved to Needville, Texas where she graduated from high school in 1949. She was proud to have been salutatorian of her class. On September 17, 1949, Etta Joyce married her high school sweetheart, Wilmer Mike Gaubatz, at the First Methodist Church of Needville. Soon they moved to Lake Jackson, Texas where they raised their four children. As a mother, Etta Joyce cared for her husband and children as a stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed attending church, cooking, and sewing for her family. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Alaska, and Europe. She loved the mountains and talking about her travels always made her smile. Wilmer and Etta Joyce were married for 64 years. After his passing, Etta Joyce moved to Carriage Inn Assisted Living where she was reacquainted with a former friend from Needville, Henry Gretschel. They enjoyed a short marriage until his passing nine months later. Etta Joyce spent her remaining years as a resident at Country Village in Angleton. Her loving and sweet nature will be missed by her caregivers there. Etta Joyce was a great mother, but she found her true calling when she became a grandmother. She unselfishly gave of her time babysitting and attending school and sporting events for those five precious grandchildren. She made sure they did their homework and that their stomachs were always full. Being a good listener was one of her many attributes. Etta Joyce had a loving heart and a gentle hand. She taught her children and grandchildren by setting a good example. She built a legacy for all of her family with lots of love, kindness, and dedication. Etta Joyce is survived by her daughter, Sheryl Broaddus (Mark), of Freeport; son, Michael Gaubatz (Kelley), of Huntsville; grandchildren, Christy Quinones (Ivan), of San Antonio, Matthew Broaddus (Natalie), of Lake Jackson, Brent Mixon (Tiffany), of Lake Jackson, Brian Broaddus (Jenny), of Beaumont, Marquis Clark (Kevin), of Montgomery; and fourteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, both husbands; and two of her daughters, Connie Jean Gaubatz and Donna Lynn Leist. The family will receive visitors on Friday, February 9, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lakewood Funeral Chapel located at 98 N. Dixie Drive, Lake Jackson, TX. The services will be Saturday, February 10, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., also at Lakewood Funeral Chapel. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Leist, Ivan Quinones, Matthew Broaddus, Brent Mixon, Brian Broaddus, and Kevin Clarke. She will be laid to rest at the cemetery in Needville Texas.

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