La Joyce Keith Johnson, 87, of De Leon, went home to her Lord and Savior August 22, 2019, with her loving family by her side. She was born March 6, 1932, in Dublin to Onie Eugene Keith and Almay Owen Keith. La Joyce married Deryl Johnson June 5, 1949, in Comanche.

La Joyce was a lifelong resident of Comanche County and graduated from Comyn High School. She was a long time member of De Leon First Baptist Church and was active in various committees at the church when she was able. She spent her life volunteering throughout the community and was always looking for ways she could help anyone less fortunate. She served as the President of the Women's Division Chamber of Commerce for many years, was a Charter Member of the De Leon Lion's Club, served The American Legion Auxiliary as Vice-President and Treasurer, Member of the De Leon Chamber of Commerce, served on the De Leon City Council from 1995-1999, served on the De Leon Peach & Melon Festival plus other various committees for the betterment and beatification of De Leon. She was responsible for the first "Clothes Closet" in town by having it upstairs at her downtown store, she was in charge of the Ministerial Alliance Food Bank for years and while volunteering with these organizations, she was largely responsible for the Women's Division Annual Penny Auction, the Arts & Crafts Fair, Local Quilt Show plus numerous fund-raising events for the betterment of the town of De Leon. For over 60 years she was as a pianist for numerous area churches: Round Grove Baptist Church, St. Joe Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Comyn Baptist Church, First Christian Church and the Baptist Spanish Church.

La Joyce owned and operated numerous businesses during her 50 years in downtown De Leon: De Leon Floral, Sears Catalog Agency, De Leon Variety & Garden Center, the Sandwich Shop, and La Joyce, which was strictly for sewing and quilting for many years. She was a talented seamstress and quilter, a hobby she enjoyed up until the end of her earthly life. LaJoyce quilted many treasures for her family and many friends to enjoy. She also was the founding member of the Third Wednesday Quilters. She and the quilting ladies donated as any as 1000 handmade items each year: quilts, receiving blankets, book bags, wheelchair bags, pillowcases, scarves, wraps and repaired toys. These along with many other needed items were donated to: West Texas Rehabilitation Center -Abilene; The Ark Domestic Violence Shelter-Brownwood, Texas Baptist Children Home-Round Rock; Children at Heart Ministries-Round Rock; Comanche County Healthcare Foundation; De Leon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Golden Age Manor-Dublin, Good Samaritans Ministries-Brownwood, Gorman High School, De Leon Public Schools, De Leon Head Start, Cross Timbers Health Clinic (for newborn babies ) Comanche County Healthcare Foundation,  local Volunteer Fire Departments and for any other type of fund raising event in and around Comanche County. But the most popular item she donated was her Peanut Brittle – by far the best in the county!

La Joyce was honored with numerous awards: 1981 – De Leon's Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year; 2005 – Golden Deeds Award to her and the Third Wednesday Quilters; 2010 – Golden Deeds Award; National Associations of Counties – "County Points of Light" recognition for her volunteer service to her local community and The Texas Rural Leadership Program  recognition for her work within the local government. She truly believed in giving back to her community and volunteering was something she believed God intended for her to do.

Her family was her greatest joy in life. She was a selfless and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to so many. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

Surviving La Joyce are her daughters, Marsha England and partner, Gregg Lederer of De Leon, Kathy and Terry Webb of Elm Mott and Sue Pittman of Granbury; grandchildren, Michelle Ackermann and partner Jeff Lewis, Derick Sides, Clint Sparks, Kayla Pittman, Jennifer and Martin Deanda ; great-grandchildren, Daniel Sides, LeLu Sides, Olivia Sides, Kameron Ackermann, Kira Ackermann, Ethan Leal, Roger Leal, Kyleah Leal, Ty Seaborn, Katie Boen and Allyson Boen; brother, Don Ray Keith; sister, Betty Morris; numerous nieces and nephews; and other extended family, her Special Care Giver, Merry Wells, and the Third Wednesday Quilter Ladies, Nancy Robinson, Vicki Robinett, Sharon Robinett, Chastene Woolsey, Loraine Woolsey, Louis Newton and Florence Jo Welch. LaJoyce was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Deryl in 1991; parents, Onie and Almay Keith; brother, Gene Keith; sister, Daryleen Hodges; and grandson, Jody Boen.

Funeral services celebrating La Joyce's life were held Sunday, August 25, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. at De Leon First Baptist Church with Jim Farley officiating. LaJoyce was laid to rest beside her husband in their Round Grove family cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers were Clint Sparks, Daniel Sides, Kameron Ackermann, Ty Seaborn, Ethan Leal, Roger Leal, Jeff Lewis and Gregg Lederer. Honorary pallbearers were Derick Sides, Lannes Callison, Ted Hodges, Donnie Nowlin and David Gilder.If desired, memorial contributions may be made to West Texas Rehab Center, Texas Baptist Children's Home – Round Rock, or The Ark Domestic Violence Shelter - Brownwood, in memory of LaJoyce. Condolences may be offered online at www.nowlinandersfh.com .