Joyce Trawick

1932 - 2014

Joyce M. Trawick
July 12, 1932 - August 17, 2014
Joyce and her twin brother Troyce were born at home on July 12, 1932 in El Dorado, Oklahoma to Wheeler and Bertha Belle Harper.  She was the last of ten children.  She lived on the family farm for the first few years of her life and attended elementary school in Oklahoma.  At the age of twelve, her parents moved the family out west to Riverbank, CA.
In California Joyce attended Cardozo Middle School and Oakdale High School.  While in high school she met the love of her life, Allen Trawick, through mutual friends.  He had come to Riverbank to visit his brother and, after meeting Joyce, never left.    Joyce graduated high school in 1949 and went on to cosmetology school in Modesto.  After completing her schooling and obtaining her cosmetology license, she opened her own beauty parlor in downtown Riverbank. 
Joyce married Allen on July 21, 1951 in La Grange and they honeymooned in Yosemite National Park.  They had their first child, Patricia Ann, in 1953.  Patty was followed by her two sisters Brenda, in 1956, and Linda, in 1959.  They finally had a boy, Allen Eugene, in 1964.
After having her children, Joyce decided to close her beauty parlor and go to work managing the Riverbank Beauty Salon.  She eventually went to work for the Riverbank School District as a bus driver.  She drove the school bus for fifteen years before moving to work in the cafeteria at Cardozo Middle School until she retired in 1995.  Joyce loved working for the school district and often volunteered to assist in classrooms, attend field trips, and plan special events for the students.  Almost every one of her grandchildren remembers getting their lunch from her every day of their middle school years. 
Joyce made time to volunteer in her community.  She was a member of the Parent Teacher Association and an active member of the Riverbank Women's Club which included coordinating the Miss Riverbank Pageant.  She and her husband Allen were members of the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce and spent many years helping to plan the Riverbank Wine & Cheese festival.  In recognition of her work in the community, Joyce received the City of Riverbank Service Award in 1967 and Woman of the Year in 1989.
Joyce centered her life around her family and friends.  Everyone was welcomed into her home with open arms.  Most of the children who came in and out of her house eventually called her mom or gram because she made them feel as though they were a part of the family.  She was always the organizer of holidays - taking on the largest share of meal and dessert preparation, family trips, and family get-togethers, including countless camping trips.  Joyce never met a stranger and would not hesitate to offer help to anyone, be it a shoulder to cry on, a warm meal, or a roof over their head.  Those who were blessed enough to know her knew they could count on her for anything.
Joyce is predeceased by her beloved daughter Patty of Riverbank, her sister Reta Mae Harper and six of her brothers.  She is survived by her husband Allen B. Trawick of Riverbank and her brothers Paul Harper of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Bill Harper of Corvallis, Oregon.  Her surviving children include Brenda Highfill of Oakdale, Linda Christison of Farmington, and Allen E. Trawick of Riverbank.  Her grandchildren include Autumn Salazar of Turlock, Garett Blount of Hickman, Kylie Reece of Oakdale, Dillon Cook of Farmington, and Cohen Blount, Elias Pribble, Joshua Blount, Brianne Reece, Jonathan Blount, and Corey Trawick all of Riverbank.  She had fourteen great-grandchildren. 
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, August 27th at 11 a.m. at the Assembly of God church located at 3126 Stanislaus Street, Riverbank.  Donations in her memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
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