Funeral services for Mrs. Joyce Marie Lamkin 76 of Copperas Cove, TX will be held Saturday, May 11, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Unity Baptist Church in Copperas Cove, Texas. Burial will follow the service at the Copperas Cove City Cemetery in Copperas Cove, TX.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 10, 2024 (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX.

Joyce Marie Lamkin was called to her Forever Home at the young age of 76 on May 1, 2024, at Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas. She was born August 4, 1947, in Gonzalez, Texas, to Augusta Taylor, Sr., and Ethel Mae Simmons. She married Freeman Lamkin, Jr., her childhood sweetheart, on December 23, 1968. Joyce loved children, and even though she had no children of her own, she and Freeman became foster parents and over a period of 33 years, fostered over 300 children.

Joyce's unwavering faith in Jesus Christ as the Head of her life was evident in her commitment to prayer. Her love for God and the church was exemplified throughout her life and her 36 years of membership at Unity Baptist Church in Copperas Cove. Joyce's dedication extended to various ministries within the church including the Usher Ministry, Saturday Morning Prayer Warriors, and Mothers' Board. Her presence and contributions were cherished by the church community, and her legacy of faith and service will continue to encourage others. She loved to cook and would feed anyone who had an appetite to eat. She also loved gardening and watching Tyler Perry movies and plays.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Marvis Taylor and Augusta Taylor, Jr.; sister, Jerry Brown; daughter, Ethel Mae Lamkin-Watson; and grandson, Miguel Olivera.

Memories of her life will forever be treasured by her husband and best friend of 55 years, Freeman Lamkin, Jr.; a lifetime of fond memories will forever be in the hearts of her children, Jacquelyn Coefield, Marie Lamkin-Merida (William), Freda Lamkin, Chancellor Lamkin, Linda Lamkin, Gabby Lamkin, Isabel Baza[1]Lamkin, Monisha Stace-Byron, Jenna Czech, and Layla Guinn; as well as her grandchildren, Mersades Mills, Katreena Jordan, Kaijah Lamkin, Freeman Hamilton, Amaya Lamkin, Kendric Jordan, Alfredo Merida, Reina Merida, Chloe Alexander, Serenitti Carias, Alexis Carias, Louis Carias, Jr., Paris Morienere, Skye Lamkin, Rafael Olivera, Alejandro Hernandez, Carina Hernandez, and Nayeli Hernandez; great-grandchildren, Melynie Marie Lela[1]Mae Mills, Malahni McCants, and Dru Rozier; she will also be cherished by her siblings, Francis Wellington and Carol Simmons; her ride or die special friend, Juanita Baxter; and a host of other relatives, church family, and friends.