Joyce Elaine Wodtly (’87)

Joyce Elaine Wodtly, 79, of Point Blank, Texas was born June 24, 1941 in Lisbon, Ohio, and passed away on July 21, 2020 in Point Blank, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Phyllis Crihfield and brothers, William and Thomas Crihfield. Joyce graduated from David Anderson High School and received a bachelor’s degree of Education from University of Akron followed by a Master’s degree from University of Houston. She met the love of her life, Gary, on a blind date in 1962 and they married on January 19, 1963. She taught for over 30 years from the elementary level to high school math, which was her favorite. She retired from Galena Park ISD in 1999 and moved to the lake in Point Blank. She and Gary enjoyed park hosting and camping in Texas State Parks as well as volunteering at Huntsville Memorial Hospital for 20 years. Her hobbies were knitting, reading, gardening and baking. She loved baking for the holidays, sharing her sweet treats with everyone, but the family holiday favorite was her infamous cheeseball, which everyone anxiously awaited every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren and her favorite day of the week was Sunday because of her love for the Lord. If you ever visited her home, you saw by the plethora of pictures displayed that her family was her most cherished blessing. Just as she cherished her family, they adored her. Her example of love and care for her family and others will be a motivation and guide for all who knew her. Joyce is survived by her husband, Gary Wodtly; children, Dawn (Richard) Happe, Jill (Charles) Birkner, and Jodi (Manley) May; grandchildren, Alex Happe, Kyle (Micailah) Happe, Zachry (Mary Kathryn) Birkner, Taylor (Vanessa) Birkner, Kaili (Chandler) Evey, Rylee Birkner, Ryan (Britney) May, and Reagan May; great grandchildren, Vera and Asher May, Bethany and Titus Birkner; sister, Carol Dunn; and brother, Richard Crihfield; along with numerous other relatives and friends. Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .

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