Mary Joyce Grosshans

Mary Joyce Grosshans, 85 of Midland, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Joyce was born on February 25, 1939, in Jacksboro, Texas on the Craft Ranch to W. H. Sewell and Mattie Myrle Carter Sewell.

Much of Joyce’s early years, she lived on ranches or farms where her father was employed. Her early years, she lived on ranches in Oklahoma, then in Winslow, Arizona. Her family moved to Melvin, Texas and lived on the Allen Ledbetter ranch for the rest of her school days. While in Melvin High School, Joyce’s days were filled with basketball and volleyball, lettering her junior and senior year.  She was involved in Future Farmers of America and was the president of the Future Homemakers of America. She was a Majorette, voted Best All-Round Girl, was later chosen Drum Major and voted Sweetheart of the Melvin Bulldogs. Her love for athletics continued throughout her 20’s and 30’s playing community volleyball in the surrounding communities near Brady, Texas.

At her heart and soul, Joyce became an artist in every sense of the word. She was highly skilled and loved to create magic with her hands.  As a seamstress, she was able to create wedding and banquet dresses and various other items of clothing. She created tablecloths, drapes and all manner of other home goods. She was proficient in culinary arts, home decorating, floral design, poetry, watercolor and oil painting.

She was an avid gardener, who grew all manner of fruit, flowers and vegetables. She loved canning, freezing food, pickling and making homemade jams and jellies. She drew into herself a great sense of peace and harmony by surrounding herself with beauty.

She used home décor to create a welcoming and pleasing home environment. She grew numerous houseplants and flowers, bringing gardens into her living spaces.  She created lovely spaces on her porches and garden areas to share with family and friends. Though she loved her artistry and beautiful surroundings, the real love of her life was her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Her guiding light was faith. Some of her last intimate discussions with her daughter was the need to love like Jesus loved. And in her last days she was being guided by the spirit of Christ’s love and forgiveness.

Joyce is survived by a sister, Virginia Faye Fowler and husband Sam Fowler of Angleton, Texas. She is survived by two children, her son, Justin Caylor and wife Audrey Caylor of Lingleville, Texas and her daughter, Teresa Mills and husband Michael Mills of Midland, Texas.  She is survived and was blessed with six grandchildren, the loves of her life, Denny Mills of Midland, Texas, Dylan Caylor and wife Shantel Caylor, of Midland, Texas, Logan Caylor and fiancé Morgan Atkins, of Tolar, Texas, David Mills and wife Melissa Mills, of Amarillo, Texas, Elizabeth Mills, of Midland, Texas and Blake Fletcher, of Gunter, Texas.  She is also survived by two great grandchildren, her youngest loves, Madelyn Frasier and Cara Caylor of Midland, Texas. Joyce is also survived by three nieces and two nephews, Kristina Fowler-Davis, of Jones Creek, Texas, Samantha Fowler, of West Columbia, Texas, Mendy Jones and husband Floyd, of Angleton, Texas, Tobey Jones, of Lake Jackson, Texas, and Sammy Jones, of Angleton, Texas.

Joyce is preceded in death by her father, W. H. Sewell, mother, Mattie Myrle Carter Sewell, sister, Linda Grace Jones, of Angleton, Texas and niece, Leandra Fowler Harvey, of Angleton, Texas.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards the CCU staff at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas.

There will be a private Celebration of Life Service on May 18, 2024.

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

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