Graveside services for Joyce Elaine Ryan, 85, of McRae, Arkansas are 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Highland Cemetery in Stonewall. Roy Deering will officiate.
Joyce passed away Friday, July 22, 2022 in McRae, Arkansas. She was born in Sabinal, Texas on July 25, 1936. She was the daughter of Una Cox Fowler and Henry Douglas Fowler. She attended Sabinal Public Schools and graduated in 1954. She was very active in high school activities serving in Future Homemakers in America in which she served as vice president her senior year and served as state delegate her junior year. She was also president of her freshman class and secretary of her junior and senior classes. She was in the pep squad her freshman and sophomore years and in the band her junior and senior years. She was on the staff of the high school newspaper and served as editor her junior and senior years. She was a member of the National Honor Society and served as the reporter her senior year. She was a Homecoming Duchess and was in the senior play. She was in the Mike Club that consisted of several of her classmates that sang for civic groups and for service men and women at several area air bases her senior year. Joyce loved to sing and had a beautiful alto voice. After graduation Joyce attended Draughan's Business College in San Antonio.
Afterwards she worked in San Antonio where she met Duane Ryan of Ada. They were married May 2, 1958, in the home of her aunt and uncle, Sadie and Otis Fowler, in Sabinal. Joyce always had a happy, positive attitude, never saw her angry at anyone.
She is survived by her three sons, Darrell Ryan and wife Mary Ann, of McRae, AR, Stephen Ryan and wife Arnita, of Ada and Bailey Ryan and wife Rita, of McRae, AR; eight grandchildren, Mandy Ryan Seely, Wade Ryan, Cody Ryan, Chad Waters, Christy Ramsey, Casey Six, Jay Perkins and Eric Perkins; 16 great grandchildren and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Margie Cunningham and one great grandson, Tyler Wood.
Bearers are Dylan Hayes, Ryan Hayes, Prestyn Hayes, Blaine Ryan, Mason Ryan and Wylee Ryan. Honorary bearers are Sadie Ryan and Ethan Ramsey.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
