Anna Joyce Altizer

Anna Joyce Helbert Altizer passed away peacefully on Feb. 22, 2026, at Westminster Manor in Austin at the age of 90.

The first of six children, Anna Joyce was born on Dec.14, 1935, in Hamilton, to Clyde Etter Helbert and Edith Fuqua Helbert.

The family later moved to Temple, where Joyce graduated from Temple High School in 1953.

Following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Jimmie Willie Fuqua, who was a nurse, Anna Joyce pursued a registered nursing degree at Scott and White School of Nursing. It was there, at Scott and White Hospital, that she met her future husband, Oliver B. "Rusty" Altizer, who was recovering from back surgery. He often joked that he had a surgery he never fully recovered from - and therefore required a full-time, permanent nurse.

The couple married in 1957, shortly after Anna Joyce graduated from nursing school. They moved to San Marcos, where Rusty completed his college degree at Southwest Texas State University (Texas State), and she worked as a nurse at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital. Upon Rusty's graduation, the family moved to Austin, where Anna Joyce continued her nursing career at Seton Main Hospital. Their family grew from 1959 to 1963 with the addition of three children.

In 1965, the couple accepted positions in San Marcos with the LBJ Administration's Office of Economic Opportunity. They became educators for the Gary Job Corps, where Anna Joyce taught nursing. Recognizing her desire for more time with her growing children, she returned to college to pursue a master's degree in Health Education. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State) and began a public school teaching career at Lamar Middle School in the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District in 1972.

In 1982, Anna Joyce and Rusty moved to Cherokee, where Rusty served as superintendent of Cherokee ISD, his Alma mater. During her 10 years at the school, Anna Joyce taught numerous classes, organized fundraisers, and planned annual banquets and celebrations for the students. One of her favorite memories was having her nephew and niece, Shane and Jodi Altizer as students in her classes and as participants in the many school events she helped organize.

Rusty and Anna Joyce returned to Austin in 1992 and completed their public school careers as teachers in Austin ISD. Anna Joyce retired as an English teacher and senior class sponsor in 1995 from James Bowie High School. Upon retiring, she enjoyed sewing, gardening, and entertaining her children and grandchildren with family meals and celebrations.

In June 2023, Anna Joyce and Rusty moved to Westminster Manor, where they enjoyed making new friends and participating in interesting activities. It was there - particularly at The Arbor at Westminster Manor - that Anna Joyce received loving and supportive care from a wonderful staff. She was very proud to be a resident and loved her caregivers.

Anna Joyce was a devoted member of the church of Christ and served in many roles, including Sunday school teacher and prison bible ministry correspondent at Southwest church of Christ for more than 30 years.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Peter Columbus Helbert and Maggie Baron Helbert, and John Newton Fuqua and Jimmie Willie Fuqua; her parents, Clyde Etter Helbert and Edith Fuqua Helbert; her in-laws, R.T. and Margaret Altizer; her siblings, John Newton Helbert and Clyde Edward Helbert; her brother-in-law, Dr. Steve Barnes; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mona and Chuck Elmore; and her daughter-in-law Melissa Nan Richardson Altizer, and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Anna Joyce leaves behind her family, who will miss her twinkling blue eyes, her keen wit, and her practical sense of handling any situation.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years Rusty Altizer; Her sister Emma Jeanine Helbert Barnes; her brothers Joe Wayne Helbert and partner Jennifer Kilijian, and Jim Lee Helbert and wife Teresa; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Nancy and John Frankland, and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ann and John Altizer; her children: Margaret E. (Molly) Altizer; Natalie Pauline (Polly) Altizer Martin and her husband Brad; and Ragan Thomas Altizer and his wife Darci; her granddaughters: Kendall Nan Altizer-Fitko and her husband Adam Fitko, and Anna Kirby Altizer and her husband Blake Whitten; her grandson Joe Erdeljac, and her great-grandchildren Judson Oliver Fitko and Eleanor Melissa Fitko.

Graveside services are scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Hanna Cherokee Cemetery, located at 14840 Hwy 16, Cherokee, Texas.

The family offers their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at The Arbor at Westminster Manor, who lovingly and kindly cared each day for Anna Joyce.

In lieu of flowers, donations are recommended to The Cherokee Children's Home in Cherokee Texas (www.cch4kids.org), to The RAF Fund at Westminster Manor. Make checks payable to RAF and mail to Ron Turner 4100 Jackson Ave. Apt. 111, Austin, Tx 78731

Anna lived a long and meaningful life marked by quiet strength, steady love, and deep devotion to her faith and her family. She was a woman of grace and kindness, known for her gentle spirit and the comfort she brought to those around her. Her love will remain a lasting gift to all who knew her.