Joyce Hewett

Retired educator Joyce June Hewett, 87 of Eastland, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025 in Ranger, Texas. Her service will be at 11 am Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at the Methodist Church in Eastland with burial in the Trickham Cemetery at 3:30 pm Wednesday. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Edwards Funeral Home, 6~8 p.m.

On June 4, 1938, Joyce June Johnson was born to Bernt and Ethel McIver Johnson in Laredo, Texas. Joyce had a brother named Bill Johnson whom she adored.

The Johnsons encouraged Joyce to pursue her passion for music, learning both the viola and violin. After completing high school in Corpus Christi, Joyce graduated from the University of Texas in Austin.

Joyce met a wonderful young man named Philip Hewett and they married December 21, 1957 at the Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. They taught in Eastland around 1959 and their son, Will was born in Eastland. They left to teach at Paschal High School in Fort Worth and their daughter, Allison, was born in Fort Worth. Joyce taught violin and played viola in the Fort Worth Symphony.

Both Philip and Joyce had a passion for music and they traveled and taught at many schools. This eventually took them to Manhattan, Kansas where Philip was the director of the Pride of Wildcat land, Kansas State University marching band. Joyce loved her role as Philip's best friend and partner. She was the "Band Mom" from 1968-1982. Joyce owned Lilliput Daycare & Preschool.

She was a member of the Eastland County String Ensemble in the 1950's and 1960's with Nancy Frost, Mildred Pickrell, Dorothy Bilderback, Winifred Hitson, and Nettie Wilson. She enjoyed playing with many wonderful musicians throughout her life and with many trios and quartets.

In 1984 Philip and Joyce settled once again in the Eastland/Olden area of Texas. Philip retired again from teaching at Eastland High School. They enjoyed their retirement until Philip transitioned to the heavenly band in 2002

Joyce was instrumental in starting both the Ranger and Eastland Headstart as well as Mulberry School at the Methodist church in Eastland. She held every position in the Red Cross of the Big Country. She was also the longest serving volunteer for the Eastland County Crisis Center along with being the president of the Eastland Women's Club.

Joyce retired after many years at Abilene State school and started working at the Eastland McDonald's where she prepped the salads and parfaits along with greeting customers. She loved them and they loved her.

She loved to travel and cruise and made many trips

All through her life, Joyce's family was her first priority. You only had to talk to Joyce a few minutes before you heard the pride and love in her voice as she spoke of their children Will and Allison. Those left to treasure her memory is her son Will (Sherry) Hewett of Clarkston, Michigan and her daughter, Allison (David) Cain of Eastland, Texas. Joyce loved her role of Grandmother to Nicole (Brandon) Harper of Kuna, Idaho, Jennifer (Jason) Hambly of Oxford, Michigan, Melanie (Luke) Sewell of Augusta, Georgia, and Robert Hewett, of Oxford, Michigan. She relished her title of Great-Grandmother to Skylar Scott, Dominic Hambly, Brooklynn Scott, Lucas Harper, Kinsley Sewell, Piper Hambly, and Millie-Mae Sewell.

She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

It is the family's wish for memorial gifts be made to K-State, The Scholarship Fund #Q69198. Donations can be mailed to KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave Suite 200, Manhattan, KS 66502-373, or given online: KSUFoundation.org/give/the drum major scholarship, established in Phil and Joyce Hewett's name.