Joyce Jean Clark, age 88, passed away Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

Joyce was born Sept. 30, 1937, in Pilot Point to Johnnie Richard and Katherine Jeanette (McClendon) Clark, the eldest of two daughters. After moving to Azle in 1951, Joyce entered eighth grade and graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1956. She attended Weatherford College and played for the Lady Coyotes basketball team. She graduated with honors from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1960 and completed her Master of Science degree in 1966. She taught and coached volleyball and basketball in the Azle ISD for 30 years, retiring in 1990.

Joyce enjoyed cooking and sharing recipes. She loved to crochet and shared her beautiful creations with family and friends. Basketball and baseball season would find Joyce watching her favorite college teams on TV. She was an avid fan of Duke basketball. She also loved watching her nephew’s children when they started playing sports: Presleigh, who plays volleyball, and Garrett, who plays baseball. Joyce had “a way with words” and loved to write, whether writing poems or something serious or funny to fit any situation. She was known for creating unique greeting cards and anyone who received one knew they had gotten something special. Joyce loved to travel with family and friends. Yearly mother/daughter trips with her mother and sister, Susie, were among special times.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Bill John (Billy Don Williams).

Those left to cherish their beloved T-Jo are her sister, Sherry Beth “Susie” Williams; nephew and niece, Todd and Staci Williams; great-niece and nephew, Presleigh and Walker Easton, great-nephew and his fiancé, Garrett Williams and Addison DeLay; and many cousins and special friends.