Wanda "Joyce" (Reece) Wellborn

Thursday, December 1, 2022, Wanda Joyce Wellborn passed away at age eighty-six. Joyce’s life began on January 6, 1936, outside Roscoe, Texas, in a small farmhouse during a cold, windy
predawn morning, to Arlie Jarome and Vesta Pauline Reece. Sometime later, Arlie joined the oilfield and Joyce attended several schools as the family followed the oil boom of the late 1940’s
and the 1950’s.

In 1954, Joyce graduated from high school in Lovington, New Mexico, and began her higher education journey at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where she met, fell in love and in 1956 married Arthur Wesley Wellborn. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Hardin- Simmons University and later earned a certification in Special Education from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. In 1973, Wesley Sr. was called home. She never remarried and went on to raise her three children alone. She loved traveling, especially her three trips to Israel, where she stood at historic landmarks and imagined the daily lives of early Christians. She also loved her trips to the Texas Gulf Coast where she often stood at the edge of the sea and wondered how many secrets were hidden under the depths of the water. Joyce loved the Victorian Period and scoured garage sales, antique shops and secondhand furniture stores for items to put in her house. Finally, she loved the birds and squirrels in her back yard who entertained her as she read and studied the Bible in the early mornings on her back porch.
After over 35 years of teaching, she retired and moved to Waco, Texas, where she spent her remaining years enjoying life by traveling, studying her Bible, and visiting with family and friends.
She is survived by two children: Pennye (Phillip) Golden and David (Debbie) Wellborn. She was preceded in death by her son, Wesley Wellborn Jr., her daughter-in-law, Kimberly Wellborn and
her beloved husband, Wesley Wellborn. In addition, Joyce leaves behind nine grandchildren: Brittan (Lindsey) Golden, Bryce (Iris) Golden, Courtnye (Alex) McCray, Brent (Hannah) Golden,
Amber (John) Lopez, Alyssa (Keith) Meyer, Art (Maddie) Wellborn, Elise (Michael) Wagner, and Elaina (Chris) Vaughn. She is survived by two siblings: Pat (Don) Teltschik and Eddie (Patti)
Reece. She was preceded in death by her brother, Glenn (Sue) Reece. She had ten great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial will be held for Joyce on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 10:00 AM First Woodway Baptist Church, 101 North Ritchie Road, Woodway, Texas. 76712

Flowers should be sent to Grace Gardens Funeral Home and Crematorium, 8220, Woodway Drive, Woodway, Texas, 76712

Registry for Wanda "Joyce" Wellborn