Joyce Marie Watkins McChristian was called home on September 7, 2024. She was born on June 4, 1935, to Ross and Gladys Watkins. Joyce was the oldest of 7 children. She was preceded in death by her brothers Thomas Watkins, Marland Watkins and Melvin Watkins and his wife Pam. She was also preceded in death by her sister Charlotte Darehshori and her husband Turk. She is survived by her sister Lana Nunnelly of Denison, Texas and her sister Cathy Brown along with husband Pete Brown of Seattle, Washington.

She married John McChristian Sr. on July 25, 1952. Joyce then became the connection between two large and loving families, the Watkins clan and the McChristians. Large, joyful celebrations were frequent with both. Joyce was preceded in death by husband John Sr. and by grandson Curtis John Seiwert.

Joyce and John began a life together in Big Spring, Texas. She was barely 17 and he was just 18 when they married. Joyce loved to tell the story of meeting at the courthouse with her mother and John's father so their parents could sign the application for marriage license. They celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2022. With small children at home, she completed the nursing program at Howard College in Big Spring and began a career as a nurse. She worked as a nurse in Big Spring and later as an Emergency Room Nurse at Susan B. Anthony hospital in El Dorado, Kansas.

Joyce was so positive and hospitable that she made friends everywhere she and John lived. During their 7 decades together, they lived across the country. Quite literally from Texas to middle America in Kansas and from California to North Carolina. In every home two things were present: her open arms and her open Bible. Joyce was a faithful and devoted follower of the Lord her whole life. Her personality complemented her faith and made her a joyful and enthusiastic servant.

Joyce inspired her children, grandchildren, friends and extended family with an ever-present smile and infectious laughter. In a fitting tribute to a loving and hospitable mother, for the final year and a half of her life, Joyce was lovingly cared for by her daughters Debbie Winter and Connie Seiwert.

She is survived by three children, Debbie Winter of Kingman, Kansas, John McChristian Jr. and wife Lee Ann of Athens, Texas, and Connie Seiwert and husband Steve of Kingman, Kansas. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

A funeral service will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Waldo Funeral Home, 619 North Travis Street, Sherman, Texas 75090. A viewing is scheduled for 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Cedarlawn Memorial Park. After the interment, a reception will be held at Waldo Funeral Home Family Center.