Joyce Lee Strickland
10/8/1943 - 10/29/2016

Joyce Lee Strickland, 73, of Freeport passed away due to complications from leukemia on Saturday, October 29. Born on October 8, 1943, Joyce spent the first 10 years of her life in Lafayette, LA. In 1953, her father's job would bring the family to Freeport where Joyce would spend most of her life. Graduating from Brazosport High School in 1963, she originally studied to become a beautician. Joyce, however, found that the profession did not suit her. Life's path then led her to Southwestern Bell, working with the company for 36 years until her retirement in 2001. At the telephone company, Joyce began her career as an operator and later was trained as a drafting clerk. It was in 1966 that Joyce met her husband, Billy, at the Brazos View Drive-In. He has said this is when his life really began. The couple soon began their married life, spending 49 years together. They have two children, Jennifer and Michael. Joyce was the kindest person, never carrying a grudge against anyone. She cared about everyone regardless of how they felt about her. She was a proud member of the Catholic Daughters and dutifully volunteered with the Special Olympics for 16 years. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Nectar and Dorothy (Bernard) Decou. She is survived by her husband; and two children; brother, Pat Decou; nieces, Deborah Janak (David), of Bailey's Prairie, Tammy Chenault (Jim), of Sweeny, Kim Decou, of Houston; and nephew, DeAllen Bowles, of Angleton. Joyce also is survived by her favorite cousin, Linda Smalley (Frank), of Lafayette, LA; and several other cousins and family members. Pallbearers will be Butch Decou, Delmer Grindle, Glen LaCombe, Jimmy Smalley, Eugene Wilkes and Gary Wilkes. Lester Bowles is an honorary pallbearer. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at MD Anderson in Houston for their care of Joyce, as well as Lake Jackson Flowers for providing the floral arrangements. Visitation will be from 6 :00 to 8 :00 p.m. Friday at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Freeport, with a rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 :00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's. The family would like to invite guests back to the parish hall for refreshments following the graveside service.

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