Lee Joyce Russ was born on February 16, 1932 at the beginning of the Great Depression in Erath, Louisiana to Desire and Eunice Dronet. Growing up in these tough times shaped Joyce to appreciate everything she was given, and that same appreciation stayed with her throughout her entire life. As a small child she had opportunities to ride in a horse and buggy when she went to visit her cousins Marjourie and Loyceanne on a farm in Louisiana. It was here that she discovered her love of sweets when her Paw Paw took her with him and she was offered a donut for the first time in her life. The taste of the donut would start the journey for her tremendous love of sweets that would stay with her for life.

The Cajun French language was the spoken language in the Dronet household, and this led to Lee starting kindergarten with a very limited English vocabulary. Her sister Sylvia Ann once placed a small cat on her back when they were young as Joyce ran around the house screaming in fear with the cat clung to her back. This event created a lifelong fear of cats. They’re always creeping around Joyce would say. She enjoyed playing basketball in school as a young girl and also cared for the small children and babies of patrons who came to the Honky Tonk that her father and uncles had built, where people would come and dance, eat, and drink on a Saturday night. These nurturing skills shaped her love of little babies for their innocence and unconditional love, and these skills stayed with her as she would eventually raise 4 children of her own. In her teenage years the family moved to Picayune, Mississippi where she met Samuel T. Russ. On their 1st date, Sammy T pulled up in a stump truck as Joyce was dressed in her Sunday best. Joyce refused to go, to which Sammy replied well either we go in this or we don’t go at all. She reluctantly climbed in and they went on to marry at the age of 18. They were married for another 59 years until Sam’s passing.

Joyce was a career homemaker who raised 4 children and was a loving devoted wife. She was an avid gardener and the president of Texas City garden club. Her home was always filled with beautiful roses, ferns, and vegetable gardens. Joyce’s great passion was her skilled cooking abilities. She has a flair for southern recipes that had been taught to her by her mom and grand ma’s. Being a homemaker gave Joyce the opportunity to always provide delicious home cooked meals for her family. She loved to entertain her lady friends with her china and silver over coffee and her delicious homemade orange yeast rolls. Lee Joyce also had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, especially at herself with a deprecating smile. The Carol Burnett show was her favorite, along with Dateline Murder Mysteries.

While not easily angered, you were wise to stay clear once she became angry. She once angrily took a switch from a tree to spank her youngest child John Desmond, only for John to then be badly stung by not 1 but 2 poisonous Asps. As the whelps from the insect’s stings competed in size with the growing whelps from the switch… Lee Joyce’s anger subsided and her nurturing side overcame her, she then came to John’s rescue. While not a drinker of alcohol, she did enjoy the occasional sip of a glass or two of a nice white wine or a well made and potent margarita. She ended her life at the age of 92. In closing, Joyce had a very sweet gentle soul. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was honest, loyal, and a friend to all she met. Lee Joyce Russ was the definition of a true Southern Bell and she will be missed by all who knew her. May God rest her soul.

Service Information

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Visitation
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home
8706 Almeda Genoa Rd.
Houston, TX 77075
(Click here for directions)

Interment to Follow

Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Lane 1

Houston National Cemetery
10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.,
Houston, TX 77038
(Click here for directions)

Posted in Loved One