Joyce Etta Almaraz

Requiem mass for Joyce Hawkins Almaraz will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler with Bishop Joseph Strickland and Father Hank Lanik officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral home. Joyce was born on August 25, 1932 in Tyler to Lillie Gregory and Sam Hawkins. She attended Douglas and Bonner elementary schools, Roberts Jr. High and graduated from Tyler High School. She then attended and received her certificate of graduation from Tyler Commercial College. Joyce began working at the Child Welfare Department in Tyler and after moving to San Antonio worked for 8 years at the San Antonio Chambers of Commerce. She returned to Tyler, where she became the Deputy Clerk for Judge Sheehy in the U.S. District Federal Courts and thereafter was assigned to Judge William Wayne Justice, whom he called his “jewel”, because of her dedication and efficiency. In 2000 Joyce retired and became very active in her church. She was a devout Catholic and spent many hours volunteering. Among the activities she participated in were, Catholic Daughters of America, the Altar Society, Legal Secretaries of Tyler, the American Business Women Association and the Lunch Bunch. She also enjoyed her weekly Shanghai card group and monthly pokeno group. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Lillie and Sam Hawkins. She is survived by her daughter, Judith Almaraz Sele and grandson Nathan Sele of Haslet, Texas; sister, Dolores (Dee) Hawkins of Tyler and numerous loving friends she considered her extended family. Especially, Dee and George NeJame of Tyler, whom she called her niece and nephew and Aida and Luis Destarac of Tyler and their children, whom she called her grandchildren. A rosary will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 5:30 PM with visitation to follow from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler. If lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund for Hawkins Almaraz Sele, Tyler Catholic School Foundation, P.O. Box 131175, Tyler, TX. 75713.

Joyce Etta Almaraz

August 25, 1932 - April 17, 2016