Joyce E. Odom Lazard

Mrs. Joyce E. Odom Lazard, 59, a resident of Houston formerly of Beaumont, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 in Houston, Texas.   

Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Lazard will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at West Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, located at 6525 Bigner Road in Beaumont, Texas 77708. A public viewing for Mrs. Lazard will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 from 12:00 Noon until to 5:00 p.m. at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel, and visitation on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at West Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. Burial Services will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025 at the Houston Memorial Garden Cemetery in Pearland, Texas. For your safety social distancing and facial masks are recommended.

Life’s Story

Joyce Elaine Odom was born on February 13, 1966, in Beaumont, Texas, to Murray M. Odom and Pauline E. Odom.On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Joyce heard the Master’s voice saying, “Your mansion is ready  the place that I, the Lord, have prepared for you.” Surrounded by her loving family, she accepted the call from labor to reward. Joyce was the fifth of seven siblings.She was a proud graduate of French High School, Class of 1984. Following graduation, Joyce attended Lamar University. After relocating to Houston, Texas, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University and became a proud Tiger alumni.Joyce accepted Christ and was baptized in Houston, Texas. She was a woman of faith, courage, and strength, whose hope was anchored in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Joyce was open about her journey with breast cancer, using her testimony to inspire and encourage other women. She affectionately called herself the “Anointed Queen Warrior” on all social mediaplatforms.Joyce was a true prayer warrior. She was a founding member of the Power of Prayer Movement, participating in a weekly prayer line with her friends. She was an active member of Riverpoint Church in Richmond, Texas, where she served in the Children’s Ministry. Joyce also served as the fundraising coordinator for Team Gifted Entertainments, was a model, and held the role of principal at the iT2’s Academy of Giftedness.Joyce married Gary Lazard, and to this union two children were born, Gary W. Lazard Jr. and Jocelynn E. Lazard.God blessed Joyce with a special gift for working with children with special abilities. She served as a life skills teacher in the Houston Independent School District for over 25 years, retiring in 2017. In 2020, she returned to the workforce as a substitute teacher for both Houston ISD and Fort Bend ISD. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joyce was instrumental in helping her friends and co-workers adapt to online teaching. During that same time, Joyce created the family Zoom chat to help us stay connected. Through this virtual space, we prayed, read scripture, played bingo, celebrated birthdays, marked special occasions, and even won prizes together. She served as the family coordinator for gatherings, vacations, and trips, and her home was always open to us, whether for holidays, evacuations, or simply a place to relax. Joyce’s love extended beyond her immediate family, embracing many dear friends who became like sisters.Joyce was a beautiful flower and a radiant gem whose light shined brightly. She loved her family deeply and enjoyed traveling, taking bus and road trips, dancing, and sharing weekly specials and new recipes for everyone to try.She was preceded in death by her parents, Murray M. Odom and Pauline E. Odom, and her brothers, Murray M. Odom, Jr. and Dexter “Dex” Odom.Those left to cherish her legacy of love and precious memories are her children, Gary W. Lazard Jr. and Jocelynn E. Lazard; her siblings, Clifton Odom, Sr. (Cynthia), Catherine Kaye Odom, Percilla Odom, and Reginald  Odom, Sr. (Michelle); her sister-in-law, Paula Odom; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends