Joyce Bear

Joyce Bear, 81, of Boling passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 3, 1943, in Newgulf, Texas to the late William Douglas and Vivian Prell Brewton.

Joyce was raised in Boling and graduated from Boling High School. She married James Milton Bear on April 15, 1962, in Boling. Joyce also graduated from Wharton County Junior College Nursing Program with her Registered Nurse License. She worked in surgery at Gulf Coast Medical Center for many years. When not at work, she could be found working in her yard, leading an exercise class, enjoying crafts with family and friends, spreading the Word with her church, Crossover Community in Boling, helping people with their taxes and just visiting with folks she cared for and loved. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Phyllis Hemphel and grandson, James Bear.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, James “Jimmy” Bear, daughters, Tammy Fortney and husband, Kevin of Washington, Tiffany Bear of Houston, sons, William Bryan Bear and wife, Liz, of Boling, and Steven Bear and wife, Stephanie of Boling, grandchildren, Holly Martinez, Kristen Schmidt, Kara Fortney, Kimberly Thompson, Sierra Walker, Kali Santana, Shane Bear, and Seth Bear, along with great grandchildren, Miller, Jane, Lana, Matthew, Hensley, Evalyn, Xander, Mercury, Oliva, Elianna, Isaac, and Kacey.

A Celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Wharton Funeral Home with a visitation starting at 1 p.m. and the Memorial Service at 2 p.m.

Funeral services are under the direct supervision of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com