La Joyce K. Freeman

La Joyce K Freeman 89 of Midland, a retired teacher and known to many as Granny Joyce, died Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Services will be at First Baptist Church Midland on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 2:00 pm with Reverend Curtis Brewer officiating.

Joyce was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Thomas and Izola Kendrick on December 21, 1931. She graduated from Chickasha High School as the salutatorian in 1949. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1952 from Oklahoma College for Women and a Master of Arts Degree from Eastern New Mexico University in 1957.

Joyce taught school for thirty-five years before retiring in 1989 from the Odessa Texas Independent School District. She would have said she taught “children” not school. Her career began in Clovis New Mexico in the fall of 1959. She also taught in Hobbs. After her marriage to Loyd O Freeman in March of 1959, she taught in Byng Consolidated school north of Ada, Oklahoma while Loyd was getting his degree at East Central in Ada. In 1965 she and Loyd returned to Hobbs and taught there until their move to Odessa, Texas the summer of 1971. The last eighteen years of her teaching career were spent teaching first graders at Sam Houston and Blanton Elementary schools in Odessa.

Joyce was always involved in musical activities throughout her growing up and adult years. She was in her church and school choirs and often filled in as the church pianist both in her own church and other churches when needed. She appreciated the opportunity for service. She accompanied the First Baptist Church, Odessa, youth choir for twenty-one years.

Joyce raised two sons, Carl Freeman of Denton, Texas and Craig Freeman of Midland, Texas.

After retirement in 1989 Joyce worked full time with her husband in construction work and she kept the books for what had become a family business.

In 1997 when son, Craig and his wife Linda were blessed with baby Megan, Joyce spent many hours caring for their special little girl and loved teaching her any skills as she grew up.

In the spring of 2005, Joyce and Loyd built a new home in Midland to be closer to Craig, Linda and Megan. By this time Joyce was working at least two days a week in daughter-in-law Linda’s store, Merle Norman and More and continued working until 2017.

God family and church were always Joyce’s highest priorities. She was constantly thankful to God for the many blessings she received.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Loyd O. Freeman.

She is survived by sons, Carl Freeman and wife Patti, Craig Freeman and wife Linda; grandchildren, Megan Dunnam, Matt Freeman, Cliff Freeman, Blake Freeman, Christopher Bryant, Sara Beth Bryant, Abby Duggan; and thirteen great grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Midland, 2104 W Louisiana Avenue, Midland, TX 79701.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.