Joyce Lovett

Joyce (Stallings) Lovett, longtime Clovis educator, entered into her heavenly home Tuesday, May 12, 2015 surrounded by her loving family.
Evelyn Joyce Miller was born the youngest of 3 daughters to Wesley Braxton Miller and Julia Wade Miller in McCool, Mississippi, on December 2, 1925.
Joyce came under spiritual conviction to ask Jesus to be her savior at age 7 and made her public profession of faith in Jesus Christ two years later during a summer revival meeting at the Bear Creek Baptist Church in McCool, Mississippi. She and 18 other candidates were baptized in a nearby pond by Reverend J.S. Deal.
At age 16 Joyce entered West Texas State Teacher's college (known as West Texas A&M today) and received her Bachelor's degree in 1945 and Master's degree in 1948. Throughout her life, Joyce continued her post-graduate studies and could have been a candidate for her PhD but chose not to do so because [[]in her own words] 'Clovis schools would not allow me to teach children if I had such an advanced degree'.
She felt The Lord calling her to be a teacher at age 17 and was mentored by the Sunday School director at First Baptist Church, Canyon, Texas while teaching 5 year old children there. Joyce was a wonderful teacher who was loved by many. Her philosophy of life was "God has created all people in His image and for a definite purpose, and each individual has the purpose to make life better for others." This philosophy carried over into her teaching, but especially the elementary school and special education students, as she believed every student had the capacity for success!
As young pastor Mack Stallings' wife, Joyce lived in various places in Texas, Arkansas, California and New Mexico. She always became a part of the community, first by establishing herself in her church and then a school. No matter where she lived, Joyce continued to educate herself so that she might be the best teacher she could be.
In 1976 when she married Roy Lovett, Joyce realized her lifetime hope for a large family. From the day she married Roy, Joyce loved all the children equally and when the grands and great-grands came along, she delighted herself in remembering each and every birthday and anniversary. She basked in glory at family gatherings. Fortunately for the family, "Grandmother Lovett" reined as matriarch at a huge family gathering in December 2014. It was a time of love and laughter and will be a treasured memory for all her family.
Together Roy and Joyce Lovett's family included 5 sons and 3 daughters, 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren; all of whom she proudly claimed as her very own.

Joyce is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Roy Clynn Lovett; an infant son; her dear son, William Wesley "Bill Stallings"; beloved daughter Jeanne Stallings Pennington; her son Terrell Lynn "Terry" Lovett; her first husband, William "Mack" Stallings; sisters, Deolece Parmalee and Nancy Matthews; and her parents.
Joyce is survived by Gary Donald (Esther) Lovett of Tucson, AZ and Timothy Charles (Peggy) Lovett of Fort Worth, TX, daughters Christine Stallings Taylor of Dallas, TX and Vicki Lovett (Irby) Range of Fort Worth, TX, daughter-in-law Liz Lovett of Fort Worth, TX and one very beloved nephew Robert (Sally) Parmalee of Fort Worth, TX along with grand children, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren . Surely Joyce's life reflects God's own word that says children are a heritage of the Lord!

Service