Joyce Lee Wiley

Mrs. Joyce Lee Brown Wiley passed this earthly life to be in the presence of the Lord on November 28th, 2012, four days after her 78th birthday. She was born in Tyler, Texas, the daughter of Dr. Glynne and Evelyn Via Brown. Joyce, along with her twin sister Loyce, grew up in Tyler and, following High School at John Tyler, went to Tyler Junior College where they were members of the Apache Belle Dance Team. Later they attended the University of Texas at Austin where Joyce majored in Home Economics. She met her husband, George E. Wiley Jr. at University Christian Church and were married the day after her graduation on June 5th, 1955. Their first home was in Elsa-Edcouch, Tx, where they worked as teachers in the local school. It was there they were blessed with the birth of their first son, Richard Paul. Following a life calling, they were accepted as Missionaries for the Disciples of Christ, Division of Overseas Ministries. The Wileys attended Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, KY where their daughter Linda Ann was born. Following ordination, Reverends George and Joyce Wiley went to Costa Rica for an immersion Spanish course prior to going to Asuncion, Paraguay in August 1959. Their call to ministry was at the Colegio Internacional and local Disciples of Christ Churches. Children Robert Mark and Karen Lee were born in Asuncion. Joyce developed a home economics program for the school and taught cooking classes to 6th grade girls. On furlough in 1981, Joyce returned to the University of Texas and earned her Masters Degree in early childhood education. Upon the family’s return to Paraguay she started church-based preschool programs. The ministry of George and Joyce spanned over 50 years at the school and Paraguayan churches, touching the lives of many students and families. Upon the passing of her husband in 2009, Joyce returned to live with her twin sister Loyce and husband William Collenback in San Antonio, Tx. San Antonio found Joyce active in church activities at Western Hills Christian Church and with programs of the American Association of University Women. Along with family members she attended many a sporting event at UTSA and O’Connor High School campuses and stadiums. She was preceded in death by her parents Dr. and Mrs. Glynne Brown, her husband George E. Wiley Jr., and sister Evelyn Anne and husband Weldon Squyres. Surviving are: her son Richard Paul Wiley and wife Thea, grandchildren Marcel and wife Heather, granddaughter Emily Wiley of Lucas, Tx; daughter Linda and husband Elbridge Russell, grandchildren Elsie, James and Katie Russell of Fryeburg, Maine; son Robert Mark Wiley and wife Anania, grandchildren Ernesto and Anahi Wiley of Yataity, Paraguay; daughter Karen Lee Wiley and granddaughter Nicole Wiley of San Antonio, TX, many US nephews and nieces and family friends both in Paraguay and the United States. Donations may be made in her memory to a charity of your choice.

Cemetery:
The family and friends will be meeting at the cemetery at 2:30 pm for a Graveside Service.