Joyce Lavon Flowers Barnett

Joyce LaVon Flowers Barnett completed her journey on this earth on May 25, 2013 when she took the Lord’s hand and began her heavenly walk. Born to Davis and Martha Scott Flowers on July 10, 1927 in Kingfisher, OK, Joyce’s early life was spent in El Reno and Waurika, OK. Joyce was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.

Joyce graduated salutatorian from Waurika High School in 1945 and entered Abilene Christian College. While studying to become a teacher, she fell in love with William Wayne Barnett, marrying him on October 17, 1947. They spent the first 30 years of their marriage in Abilene where Joyce taught at North Park and Bonham Elementary Schools. It was during this time that they welcomed first Kent and later Krys into their family. Joyce and Wayne enjoyed many fun vacations in their travel trailer, showing their children the Western United States and Canada.

In 1977, the family moved to Midland, TX. The only teaching position available at the time was a High School English and Spanish assignment in Stanton. So, Joyce learned to speak Spanish and transitioned from working with elementary children to high school students. For the next 10 years, Joyce travelled daily to Stanton High School where she made many friends and touched the lives of numerous young people. Joyce returned to Abilene in 2005. In addition to her teaching, Joyce enjoyed playing the organ, listening to music, writing poetry, and tending her roses.

Joyce was a wonderful grandmother to Kent’s two children, Tyler and Katie, and to Krys’ three children, Jason Mims, Heather and Kyle Poeske. Her ornery sense of humor kept those kids (and their parents) on their toes! That sense of humor prevailed to the end.

Preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Wayne, Joyce is survived by her children, Kent and wife Denise of Abilene and Krys Poeske and husband David of Boerne, TX, her sisters Geneva Huff of Carlsbad, NM and Chloe Hampton of Shepherd, MI, and her grandchildren Tyler Barnett, Katie Barnett Emerson and husband Eric (all of Abilene), Jason Mims and wife Lauren, Heather Poeske, and Kyle Poeske (all of Boerne).

At Joyce’s request, her body will be cremated and a private family memorial service will be held in the near future. As a result of her love for Members of Churches of Christ for Scouting, the family asks that those wishing to honor her life do so through a memorial gift to this ministry: MCCS, c/o Bobbie Lee Wolfe, 3102 S. Clack, Ste. 1, Abilene, TX 79606. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.