Joyce Hewlett (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas— Jessie Joyce Hewlett passed away Monday, December 2nd, 2013 and has been called by the Lord. Joyce Hewlett was born in Sweetwater, Texas, on March 26th, 1929. Her parents were J.L. Tabor and Linnie Wilkins Tabor, formerly of Levelland, Texas. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Joyce married Tommy Gene Hewlett in 1950 who preceded Joyce in death in 2005. Survivors include: One sister, Jean Billingsley, Three children, Cindy Lin Hewlett and Koy Mac Hewlett, A third child, Jay Kyle Hewlett, preceded Joyce in death on March 25th, 2011, Three grandchildren, Zac Rogers, Kristi Hamilton and Stanley Davis, Five great grandchildren, Madeline Payne, Jack Payne, Hank Hamilton, Lauren Hamilton and Haley Hamilton. She worked at Tulia Co-op Gin as a bookkeeper until retirement. Joyce spent her youth with her parents Jess and Linnie Tabor, who farmed in Tahoka, Texas, but the farm was actually closer to Wilson, Texas. Joyce attended Wilson Schools through the third grade. Her parents were farming following the great depression on land that was originally the Spade Rance. Her father, Jess Tabor, farmed with mules. Jess Tabor was successful enough in farming that he was eventually able to buy a tractor. Joyce and her sister, Jean Billingsley, helped work the farm as soon as they could walk. Joyce entered the fourth grade in Ropesville High School, where she met her future husband, Tommy Hewlett, and both Tommy and Joyce graduated from Ropesville High School in 1946. Joyce attended Abilene Christian College until 1948. Joyce married Tommy Hewlett in 1950. She moved to Tulia, Texas, in 1965 due to her husband's transfer to Golden Acres Seed Company. Joyce loved people, music and poetry. She often spoke of the excellent teachers she had in her youth. Two of her children became educators. She also loved a surviving miniature pug dog we call Roxie. Joyce Hewlett was loved will be greatly missed. No services are planned at this time.