Joyce Barrow Merchant

A graveside memorial service with burial of the cremains will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Nevill's Chapel Cemetery for Joyce Barrow Merchant who passed away on May 19, 2023. Services are under the direction of Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant. Bro. Charles Rex Newman and Bro. Shawn Findley will be officiating.
Joyce was the daughter of Franky Blackard and Joe Barrow. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jimmy Merchant; sister, Peggy Jo Barrow May; parents-in-law, Eula Shockley and Joe Merchant; sister-in-law and husband, Clarissa Merchant and S. E. (Bo) Cooper; sister-in-law and husband, Melba & Gerald Thomas; and nephew, Russell May.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jani Leigh and Randy Burnett of Mount Pleasant, TX; granddaughter, Jessica Lewis of Huntsville, TX; brother-in-law, Decker May; niece Robin (John) Stone; nieces, Erma Horne and Pat (Nick) Dyke; nephews, Dan (Jeannette) Thomas and Sidney (Ginny) Cooper; and numerous cousins and friends. She is also survived by her special dog, Marta, who was the joy of her life.
Joyce received both the B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from East Texas State University (now Texas A & M University – Commerce). Her professional career included positions as a teacher, librarian, and principal in the Sherman, Red Lick, and Huntsville schools. An active member of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville and later the Nevill's Chapel Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant, Joyce lived a life of faith and service. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma, and enjoyed cooking, garage sales, and genealogy research.
In lieu of flowers, Joyce requested memorials be made to the Nevill's Chapel Cemetery Fund, c/o Steve Martin, 472 CR 1725, Mount Pleasant, TX 75455.
An online guest registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com