Joyce Etheredge

Joyce Etheredge, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, in Abilene, Texas, at age 84, surrounded by her family.

In her earlier years, Joyce devoted herself to her family as a loving homemaker. She rarely missed her sons' sporting events, enthusiastically supported their 4-H projects, and took an active role in all their activities and interests.

Once her sons were on their own, Joyce began a career at Roscoe State Bank, where she worked for more than 20 years before retiring. Following her retirement, she moved to Abilene to live with her twin sister, Judye; where their fondness for dressing alike reached new heights, as they continued to turn heads with their matching or coordinated outfits and white hair. Known by many as the “Twin Grannies”.

The sisters shared a special bond and enjoyed spending time together attending high school and college basketball and volleyball games, traveling to visit their grandchildren, and taking spontaneous road trips with their sister-in-law Evelyn, nieces Melinda, Marcy and Crystal. These adventures created many cherished memories and brought Joyce great joy in her later years.

Joyce was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Roscoe and then St. Paul’s United Methodist in Abilene, TX. She loved gardening and took particular pride in caring for her yard, which was always beautifully maintained and admired by those who knew her. Joyce was always smiling and had a sweet, but sometimes mischievous giggle. She was known for her generous heart and took great joy in cooking and baking for others. She made the best bundt cakes and cookie press cookies. She often baked these goodies for others, but we also found her nibbling these sweets throughout her day. Joyce’s happy place was holding a baby, looking tenderly into their eyes or bouncing them on her knees.

Joyce’s greatest joy was her family, whom she cherished deeply. She is survived by her three sons: Tad Etheredge; Britt Etheredge and his wife, Melissa; and Jim Etheredge and his wife, Gretchen. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Shyana Baugh, Madelyn Etheredge, Ethan Etheredge and his wife, Hannah, Brittney Murphy and her husband, Gordon, Sydney Etheredge, and Emma Etheredge. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, each of whom held a special place in her heart. She loved them dearly and cared for them as if they were her own.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Eugene and Pernia Mae (Peggy) Murff; her brother and sister-in-law, Melton and Evelyn Murff; her beloved twin sister and brother-in-law, Judye and Terry Mauldin; her son, Sydney Eugene Etheredge; and an infant daughter.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2PM on June 5, 2026, at Piersall Funeral Home, 733 Butternut, Abilene, Tx with a reception to follow.

Joyce will be remembered for her unwavering love of family, her generous heart, her warm smile, and the joy she brought to everyone fortunate enough to know her.