Joyce Howard

Funeral services for Mrs. Joyce Howard, 87, of Avinger, Texas, will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Avinger Methodist Church, under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs.  Burial will follow at Avinger Cemetery.  There will be a time of visitation with family and friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2026, at the funeral home.

Joyce Hatcher Wilbanks Howard was born October 23, 1938, in Commerce, Texas, to Rev. Leon King Hatcher and Oleta Duvall Hatcher. She passed away June 14, 2026.

 Joyce was truly a people person. It was always a joy to her to lend a helping hand, and being the daughter of a minister, she never met a stranger. She always loved a good hug. She enjoyed reading, crafts, crocheting, and caring for her beloved cats, as well as all of her neighbors’ animals. If an animal went missing, there was a good chance it could be found at Joyce’s home.

Traveling was a special treat for Joyce, especially visiting Elvis and Graceland. Dallas also held a very special place in her heart and in her life. She began playing the piano and organ at an early age for her father and continued with music lessons through college. Joyce found all things in life fascinating, and her motto was, “It’s a good day when one learns something new.”

Joyce knew great loss in her lifetime. Losing her son, Rick, was devastating, and she never truly got over the loss of her brother, with whom she was so close in age, or her beloved twin sister. Through it all, she loved the Lord, and He held her hand as she carried on. She also loved her daughter, Cindy, with all her heart.  She was preceded in death by her father, Rev. Leon Hatcher and mother, Oleta Duvall Hatcher Solley; husbands, Bobby Wilbanks and Olan Tom Howard; son, Ricky Royce Wilbanks; twin sister, Dorothy Nell Hatcher; brother, Rev. Thomas Hatcher; and stepfather, Ellis Solley.

 She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Doss and Nathan Lewis; her husband’s children, whom she loved as her own; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Morgan Wilbanks Loudon and husband Chris, and great-granddaughter, Maddison “Maddie” Loudon of Florida; Aaron Wilbanks and Landyn Royce Wilbanks and wife Brittani of Florida; Bobby Doss and his very special wife, Jennifer, and great-grandson, Carson Matthew Doss of Tyler, Texas; special niece, Teri Arnold and husband Jim and their children, Cory and Christopher Hatcher of Rowlett, Texas; special nephews, Mark Hatcher and wife Melissa and their children, Melinda and Melanie, Jason Hatcher and wife Melissa of Rockwall, and Joe Hatcher and wife Janet, and Jarrett and Jenson Hatcher of Plano; along with many other relatives and friends.