Joyce Lucille Parsutt

JOYCE LUCILLE SMITH PARSUTT, 90, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend went peacefully home to be with her Heavenly Father and her loved ones who have prepared a place for her on August 23, 2013 at Matagorda House in Bay City, Texas. Joyce, ,the youngest of eight children, born April 27, 1923 in Middlesex, North Carolina to John H. Smith and Sarah (Hattie) Stilley Smith was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, William Arthur Smith and John B. Smith, her sisters, Thelma Smith Hilliard, Alma Smith Dixon, Velma Smith Donn, Agnes Smith Graham and Beulah Smith Longstreet. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years and best friend Steve William Parsutt, daughters, Karen Parsutt Countz and husband Tommy, Beverly Parsutt Thompson and Stephanie Parsutt Rula and husband Paul. Six grandchildren, Stephen Wayne Countz and wife Miranda, Kristie King Caviness and husband Randall, Emily Kiser Thompson, Chapman Arthur Thompson, Kelly Lynn Rula and John Paul Rula. Three great grandchildren, Maci, Hunter, and Luke Countz. Nieces, Ann Longstreet Tharrington, Nancy Longstreet Wheeler, Jane Longstreet Ellsworth and husband Tom and Elizabeth Dixon. Nephew, John Taylor Graham and wife Judy. Joyce attended St. Mary’s Girls School and graduated from Needam Broughton High School in Raleigh. After graduation, Joyce attended Madison College in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Steve and Joyce were married on March 2, 1946 in Raleigh, North Carolina. After a honeymoon in New Orleans, they made their way to Palacios, Texas (Steve’s hometown). While in Palacios, Joyce co-founded The Harmony Club, which , after 60 years, is still contributing funds back to the community. They moved to Matagorda, Texas in 1950 where they owned and operated Parsutt’s Grocery Store for over 20 years. After they sold Parsutt’s they built The Matagorda Shoppe and operated that for another 15 years. In 1951, Joyce joined the Matagorda United Methodist Church and became very active in the church she loved. She taught Sunday school, bible school, was a member of the United Methodist Women and took an active part in all the youth programs. Joyce was in involved in numerous clubs and organizations. She was President of the Bay City Art League, a charter member of the River’s End Garden Club, the Book Review and was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) to name a few. Joyce and Steve loved to travel and traveled extensively in Mexico, Central America, Europe and the United States. They lived in Hawaii for several months as well as El Salvador and Guatemala Joyce loved art, cooking ( Southern style), yoga, and playing Bridge, but more than anything, she loved her family, her church, her home and her friends and was loyal to all. The family wishes to thank all the caregivers and staff of Matagorda House for the care and devotion given to Mother in the last years of her life. In addition, our gratitude goes to Houston Hospice and their staff for the love and care they showed to Mother as well as to the whole family. Special thanks to Glenda Barrett for the countless hospice volunteer hours she spent with Mother and the Matagorda Methodist Church congregation for their continuous prayers, cards and visits. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Matagorda United Methodist Church in Matagorda, with the Rev. Dottie Dumas and the Rev. Vergil Ichtertz officiating. A private burial will be held at a later time. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Joyce’s name may be directed to Matagorda United Methodist Church, P.O.Box 113, Matagorda, Texas 77457.