Joyce Dickson

Joyce Dickson, precious mom and grandmother, age 75, went home to be with her Lord on November 7,2024 at her daughter’s home in Jacksonville, Texas.

Eva Joyce McLaughlin was born in Mineral Wells, Texas on July 26, 1949, to Calvin and Mae McLaughlin as the little sister to her brothers, John and Bill. She attended Elementary through High School in Nashville, Arkansas. Joyce married Billy Funderburk in December 1967, forgoing her last semester of high school. She earned her GED a few years later. They lived in Arkansas and also East Texas where daughter Tammy and son James were born. They were married for 17 years before divorcing. Joyce married her husband Don Dickson in 1985, and they blended their families together. In 1986 they had their only child together, Stormi Dawn Dickson. Joyce helped raise stepdaughters Missi and Traci, as Don’s daughters Tamela and Candace were already grown. Joyce and Don were married for 26 years before beloved Don Dickson passed away in 2011.

Joyce loved her family and was a very hard worker. She was strong and always worked heavy jobs, helping Don in construction work for many years while also bringing a lot of energy to their household, finding time for cooking, keeping house, fishing, spending time with all of the kids and her friends and being active in church. She had a no-nonsense common sense, but also had a great sense of humor, playfulness, and the ability to keep everyone laughing. She was known for being able to express herself without holding back and those closest to her could practically read her mind by reading her facial expressions. She wasn’t pushy with her opinions, but if asked would be completely truthful, even if it was hard to hear. Everyone in the family knew that about her and relied on her to give honest godly advice whenever needed. She wasn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers, when necessary, but was beloved and respected by everyone she touched. She had a long prayer list and faithfully prayed for everyone and everything on it. She was a patriot who loved shooting guns and loved animals, but she would also shoot the head off a snake if she had to. She wasn’t afraid to get dirty and wanted to be outdoors all day every day if she could do it, especially in the summer. She did not like winter. As a child, she read everything she could get her hands on, hung upside down from trees, hunted and fished with her dad and brothers. She learned how to work on everything from cars to houses. Her mother taught her to cook and to sew. As a teen, she spent time with friends at the skating rink and the drive-in movies. Yard work, mowing, and watching hummingbirds were her fun over the last few years. She cared for Don’s uncle Wes, her own mother, and husband Don before they passed away, giving selflessly all that she could. She has supported her kids through thick and thin over the years and helped in any way she could. She lived a full life and was a hero to many.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents James Calvin and Nettie Mae Simmons McLaughlin; brothers, William Calvin and John Wayne McLaughlin; husband Don Dickson; daughter, Stormi Dawn Dickson; grandchildren, Justin Bell, Nick Pearson, and Josh Pearson; niece, Christy Smith; and son-in-law, Eric Meyer.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Tammy Parsons and husband John Mark Parsons; son, James Funderburk; and granddaughter, Stormi Jewel Funderburk. She is also survived by children, Missi Rickey, Traci Lehmberg and husband Gary Lehmberg, Candace Williams and husband Tom Williams, Tamela Turk and husband Mike Turk, 13 more grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held on November 23, 2024, at Saving Grace Church of Gilmer. The funeral service will start at 1:00 PM.