Joyce O. Gifford
August 16, 1930 – February 6, 2015
Joyce Gifford, 84, of Waco passed away February 6, 2015. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Joyce was born August 16, 1930 in Abbott, TX to Oran Edwards and Vivian Puckett-Edwards. She married Laurence Gifford on August 31, 1950. Joyce taught kindergarten at St. Alban’s for 17 years and often enjoyed seeing former students around town. Her hobbies included bird watching and selflessly volunteering her time to local organizations such as Citizens on Patrol, Waco Parks and Recreation Dept., Historic Waco Foundation, Lake Air Montessori School, Kendrick Neighborhood Association where she was a founding member, and Meals on Wheels. She was also a member of Waco Knitters. Joyce lived in Albuquerque, NM for 12 years and was employed by Eye Associates of New Mexico. As her ability to get around diminished, Joyce often took to Facebook so she was able to stay involved in her friends’ lives, and made numerous new friends as well.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Laurence “Larry” Gifford; son Grayson and wife Marilyn; daughter Trish Gifford and best friend Phil Stratton; daughter Jaynie Ballantine; daughter Emily and husband Shane Tanguis; grandchildren Morgan and Alayne Ballantine, Sarah Gifford, and Felice Henderson; brother Michael Edwards; sister Norma Wood; and several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, Pack of Hope, or St. Alban’s Episcopal Church of Waco.
Print Obituary & Condolences
Jaynie, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you & your family.
Thank You so very much for your thoughts and prayers.
To Larry and all of the Gifford family. It seems like only yesterday that all of us were sharing our lives, hopes, and aspirations. May the peace of God keep you in this time of loss. Joyce will live in our memories forever. I have sent copies of the obituary notice to Beth and Amy and Joan, who are all living in St. Louis.
Janynie and family, All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. ~Author Unknown
Jaynie and family, my condolences on the passing of your beloved mother.
Prayers for peace and comfort to Emily, Jaynie, Trish, Grayson, Papa G, and all of the extended family.
I was fortunate to know Joycie, brief as it was. To me, she was unbound acceptance, forgiveness and non-judgment. Thank you, Joycie, for your kind words, wise advice and, especially, for including me, a relative stranger, in your nightly texts. I miss them most of all.
I was so sorry to hear of your sweet mothers passing. She made a such a lasting impression on so many children through out the years. I know that when I think of St Albans her face is one of the faces that immediately comes to mind. She was a part of so many of the memories from my childhood years and I hope that you can find some comfort in knowing that her legacy will live on through those people whose lives she touched. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Mrs. Gifford was a lovely, funny, and warm woman. We have known the Gifford’s’ since our days at St. Timothy . Mrs. Gifford and my mother did scouting together. Joyce and Larry were assets to the COP program. She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Dear all,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was such fun! I know each of you will bring her forward in the years to come and that your memories will be blessings on those difficult days. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Kelli Kienitz Schlueter
TO LARRY GIFFORD AND FAMILY i enojoyed knowing joyce in BIBLE STUDY she will really be missed