Joyce Marie (Barnes) Westmoreland

Joyce Marie Barnes Westmoreland joined our Savior in Heaven on Saturday, February 1, 2025. She left peacefully, surrounded by family in the comfort of her home at Hickory Hill Farm in Happy Valley, just outside of Cushing, Texas. Joyce was 91 years young. A visitation will be held at Dickie Allen Funeral Home in Cushing, Texas on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 9:00AM; followed by a celebration of life at 10:00AM. Her Pastor, Brother David Snelson will be officiating. A burial will follow at Fenton Cemetery.

Joyce was born on August 23, 1933, the only child of Eugene Barnes and Ruth Pirtle Barnes. She spent her childhood enjoying life on the Pirtle Farm and graduated from Cushing High School in 1950. Joyce met the love of her life in 1959, Ocie Lee Westmoreland, while they both were employed at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse. On September 10, 1960, they were married and formed a blended family with four young boys: Ocie’s three-year-old, Terry, and Joyce’s twins, Ricky and Randy, and her youngest, David. A few years later, Joyce gave birth to their only daughter, Angela, who completed their familyof seven.  After raising their family in Nacogdoches, Joyce and Ocie retired to Hickory Hill Farm, which has been in her family for almost 200 years. 

She was the Cushing Bearkat Football Sweetheart her senior year of high school.  Upon graduation, Joyce moved to Tyler, where she attended Tyler Business College because Eugene, the original “Big Daddy” in the family, encouraged her to seek ahigher education.

Joyce was a devoted mother to her five children while employed by Nacogdoches Independent School District as a secretary.  Many years were spent taking her children to and from sporting events at baseball, football, track, basketball, gymnastics and cheer events.  Even though schedules conflicted at times, Ocie and Joyce tried to never miss any of their children's events—atradition they continued with their grandchildren. 

Joyce enjoyed bringing her family together, having over 30 people at the farm—especially on her favorite holiday, Easter.She lived life to the fullest and spoiled her grandchildren with her motto: “Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first!”

Joyce pursued other hobbies including her beloved quilting class. As her eyesight began to fail, she was unable to stitch butstill cherished her friendships with the ladies in quilting club and her Fidelis Sunday School class.

She was a role model for others in her love for the Lord.  She encouraged her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to be active members of their church and serve the Lord with all their heart.  She always set an example with her daily acts of kindness. She was an active member of Landmark Baptist Church in Cushing and enjoyed Bro. David Snelson’s sermons and valued friendship with David and Elisa.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Ocie Lee Westmoreland, parents Eugene and Ruth Pirtle Barnes, and granddaughter Katy Westmoreland.

She is survived by sons Richard Bruce Ivy and wife Jill Turnquist Ivy, Randal Brent Ivy and wife Jana Adams Ivy, David Alan Ivy and wife Christie Ivy Ivy, Terry Clyde Westmoreland and Teresa Wright Westmoreland, daughter Angela Westmoreland Howarth and husband T. D. Howarth, seven grandsons (Joe Franklin, Brent Ivy, Mitchell Franklin, Tyler Howarth, Logan Ivy, Grant Howarth and Forrest Williams), seven granddaughters (Jamie Jones, Madeline Little, Kesli Hooks, Kelli Miller, Lauren Sieja, Kallie Barrett and Kori Harris), and 16 great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Joe Franklin, Brent Ivy, Mitchell Franklin, Tyler Howarth, Logan Ivy, Grant Howarth, Michael Adams, and John Paul Carrejo.

The family would like to thank Harbor Hospice, Erin Sommerlatte Pirtle, PA-C, and the staff of Dr. Mark Cline for keeping Joyce comfortable in her final days.

The family would also like to thank Landmark Baptist Church for hosting a fellowship to celebrate Joyce’s life. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Landmark Baptist Church: P.O. Box 414, Cushing, Texas 75760.

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