Joyce Lemons

Joyce Lemons, born in Thorndale, Texas on October 10, 1931, died on May 25, 2023, at the age of 91.  Throughout her life, Joyce remained a strong, indominable, classy woman, with an undeniable hint of pride and stubbornness.  This, despite experiencing what seemed at times like relentless setbacks. 

Joyce graduated from Austin High School and attended the University of Texas, but left to marry her fellow student, Tom Lemons, an architecture major, in 1954.  After Tom suffered first from tuberculosis, then from a significant loss of his eyesight, she helped him transition from architecture to ownership of a furniture store in Austin, The Denmark Shop. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper for the Home Builders Association of Austin, steadying the family through Tom’s transitions.  When Tom died in 1995, she resolutely bought a new house, made new single friends and became a master bridge player. She suffered from a significant stroke in 2015, leaving her with aphasia and limited mobility, and was compelled to move to Dalhart to live near her daughter. Nevertheless, she remained as independent as was humanly possible, and never left her room without lipstick.  

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Kim, and husband, Will, of Dalhart; her grandchildren Thomas Allen and wife Katie of Dalhart; Sam Allen of Houston; Ben Allen of McKinney, and Kate Allen of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and by her great-grandsons William, Henry, Samuel and Bradley Allen of Dalhart. She is also survived by her sister, Darlene McConnell, and her husband Bob. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Tom Lemons, parents, Herman and Martha Hengst, and sister Vernell Hengst.

Graveside services will be June 17, 2023, at 11:00 am at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

For the care and love of Joyce by those at Coon Memorial Home, her daughter will be always and sincerely grateful.  Heather, Jessica, Pam, all of the aides and especially Noemi, she loved you back.