Joyce Oliver

    Evelyn Joyce Oliver passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, January 15, 2019. She was 81 years old.
    The sixth child born to John and Allie Pearson in 1937, Joyce grew up in Dawson County with six siblings (sisters Louise and Shirley and brothers Kenneth, Carol, Gene and Richard.) 
    On December 24, 1953, Joyce married the love of her life, Warren Layton Oliver, at the Grandview Baptist Church in Dawson County. The two were married for 59 years and spent the majority of their life in Lamesa, Texas, where Layton farmed cotton and owned and operated ELCO Gin in nearby Gaines County. Those who were lucky to know Layton and Joyce were certainly blessed by their charisma, charm, sense of humor, and zest for life. They rarely spent a night apart, and we all are comforted knowing they are finally together again, for all eternity.
    Joyce loved her Lamesa community and the many friends she made there throughout the years. She was a member of First Baptist Church and a devoted Christian. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life and she will forever be remembered for hosting delicious Thanksgiving dinners, throwing magical Christmas celebrations, and singing slightly off-key when the family gathered together around the piano. Joyce had a competitive spirit and was able to beat most anyone at a friendly game of Scrabble, or a lively round of Balderdash. She loved music, and spent many evenings watching The Grand Ole Opry with Layton in their Lamesa home. 
    Joyce never missed a beauty shop appointment, and was easily recognizable throughout town by her oversized and glamorous Christian Dior sunglasses and glittering gold Cadillac. Joyce was – in many ways – larger than life, and she made sure to sprinkle her special brand of sparkle and pizzazz to everyone with whom she came in contact. Though Joyce is no longer with us on Earth, her musical laugh, gracious smile, and love of life endures in the hearts of those who knew her.
    Joyce is survived by siblings, Louise Pearson Adcock of San Angelo, Kenneth Pearson and wife, Elaine, of O’Donnell, and Richard Pearson and wife, Janet, of San Antonio; her children, Patricia Miller and husband, Mike, of Lubbock, Teri Kent and husband, David, of Fort Worth, and Sam Oliver; grandchildren, Jason Aaron Roberts of Philadelphia, Jennifer Grove of Corpus Christi, Kyle Kent of Fort Worth and Catherine Miller of Granbury; great-grandchildren, Memphis Coonrod, Hannah Kent, Sterling Seay and Jackson Grove. 
    The family suggests memorials to First Baptist Church, 801 South 1st Street, Lamesa, Texas 79331; or Dawson County Library, 511 North 3rd Street, Lamesa, Texas 79331. 
    To send condolences online, please visit www.branonfuneralhome.com.
– Press-Reporter obituary services