Joyce was born January 26, 1928 to Calvin Lonzo Williams and Estelle Mae Campbell in Bowie, Texas. Having grown up on a farm with her seven siblings, parents, and close by extended family and friends, Joyce told tales of the many chores necessary on the farm, but also the fun times when her father would share stories and songs. Joyce described the challenges her parents faced: being “dirt farmers,” growing most of their own food, working harder than most of us can imagine, all while giving their children a secure and happy childhood, even when there was little money.
When Joyce was 10, her family moved to Oklahoma, hoping for better conditions during the economic devastation of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. It was here that she attended a one-room school about a mile from her home. With many pleasant memories of this time, Joyce often reminisced about the impact of that one-room schoolhouse on her life.
As the massive drought came to an end, the family moved back to Texas, to a farm near Muenster. In this season of her life, she loved being old enough to ride horseback to school, spending time with friends, and—along with her siblings—cracking open and gorging on perfectly ripe watermelons in her father’s field!
She married her first husband, Jerry Gorrie, in 1953, and, while they were stationed with the Air Force in Germany, Joyce gave birth to her only child, Diana, in 1955. After her divorce in 1969, she moved to Lake Stevens—“the most beautiful place in the world,” as she often said.
Married to Billy Bell in 1970, Joyce agreed to move to his home in Georgia. But the powerful draw of Lake Stevens eventually brought them back to the lake. After her divorce in the early-1980s, Joyce began her own real estate brokerage, “Bell Properties.” Devoting herself for the next three and a half decades to helping people find the perfect house in this beautiful area, she became well-known to the community. She was also one of the original property managers in Lake Stevens, managing rental properties on behalf of the owners.
A long-time Episcopalian, Joyce loved being a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Snohomish, Washington for decades, and taking part in as many church activities as possible.
She was a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Lake Stevens in 1991, serving as president in 2002-2003. She was deeply involved with the Lake Stevens Senior Center and the Lake Stevens Family Center. As someone committed to improving Lake Stevens, Joyce was honored by many awards over the years. Perhaps her most enjoyed honor was being made Grand Marshall of the Aquafest parade in 2010.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and great-grandson, Theodore. She is survived by her daughter, Diana Waring; her three grandchildren, Isaac, Michael, and Melody; and four great-grandchildren, Zach, Zeek, Evy, and Pippa.
A funeral and reception will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 913 2nd St, Snohomish.
The family is also hosting a casual gathering for those who want to share memories of Joyce on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Stevens Senior Center, 2302 Soper Hill Rd, Lake Stevens.
In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts may be made to the groups Joyce loved best: the Lake Stevens Rotary Club, the Lake Stevens Senior Center, or St. John’s Episcopal Church in Snohomish.
Leave a Condolence