of San Saba. They made their home in Cherokee on the McRorey ranch. In 1984, they moved to the home they built in San Saba.
A dedicated teacher, Joycelyn taught 7th and 8th grade language arts for 26 years. She was known to her students as Ms. Mac.
Joycelyn was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in San Saba, Texas. She was active in all aspects of church life: choir, pianist, session member and youth. Joycelyn was involved in the San Saba community, the Historical Society, San Saba Museum and member of the Pierian Study Club. She spent many an election hand tabulating the county vote.
Austin was a frequent destination for shopping and entertainment from the symphony to country and western concerts. Joycelyn enjoyed traveling with John R., touring New York City, Hawaii, Grand Teton, Big Bend and Yellowstone National Parks, New Mexico and Mexico, always returning with memorabilia worthy of display.
Her teams were the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers and San Saba Armadillos; if she wasn’t in the bleachers, she was listening to the Dillos broadcast.
She was famous for her pecan pie (a high standard to match), five-pound fudge and fried chicken.
Joycelyn was preceded in death by her parents; her son, John; husband; John R.; brother, Jimmy Ward; and sister, Barbara Sloan.
Joycelyn was survived by her nieces, Jan Hornick of Australia and Claudia Zinser of Coppell; nephews: David Ward of Mullin, and Ted and Wesley Ward of Midland; great-nieces: Jalyn Frasier (husband Larry and two children of Aurora, Texas), Monica Wilkes (husband Jason and six children of Boerne), and Dawn Davis ( husband Blaise and three children of Tyler); great-nephews: Michael Ward (wife Sabra and three children of San Saba), Neil Ward of Midland and son, Ryan Ward of Midland, Levon Ward of San Saba, and Will Ward and son of Midland; great-nephews of Australia: Roland Hornick (wife Lyndi and two children), Blair Hornick (wife Tanya and daughter), and Sam Hornick (and wife Susan).
Her family is grateful for the years of care provided by the staff of San Saba Rehabilitation and Nursing.
Pallbearers: Ted Ward, Michael Ward, Wesley Ward, Dick Miller, Jeff Sloan, Jason Wilkes, Larry Frasier Honorary Pallbearers: Blythe, Jericho, Amelie, Zeke, Katja and Titus Wilkes. Darby and Beau Frasier The funeral service was held December 16, 2023, at the First Presbyterian of San Saba officiated by Pastor John Alsbrooks with the interment being at High Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the First Presbyterian Church of San Saba or a charity of your choice.
Joycelyn Claudia Ward McRorey passed away on December 6, 2023, in San Saba. She was born August 15, 1927, to Lynn Cyril and MaeMaline Ward in San Saba, Texas. After graduating from San Saba High School, she attended Southwestern University where she pledged Tri Delta and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Language Arts.
Joycelyn and John R. McRorey were married August 7, 1948, in the First Presbyterian Church