Joyce Rhodes McMakin
A loving wife, daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and niece, Joyce Lanell Rhodes McMakin, 93, surrounded by family passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Ingram. She was born on March 27, 1931, in Woodville, the daughter of Edd A. Rhodes and Opal Tucker Odgen.
Joyce spent her younger years, after the death of her father, living with her grandparents being raised with aunts and uncles. Before graduating from Woodville High School, she served as cheer leader and later, drum major. Soon after graduating High School, she moved to Houston and attended business college. She went to work for Foster Wheeler as a secretary and was assigned to a young engineer that would later become her husband.
She married Laurence McMakin on September 18, 1954. She moved to Austin with her husband so he could continue his education at the University of Texas receiving his master’s degree in 1957 and PhD in Chemical Engineering in 1961. They moved to Texas City after accepting an engineering position with Amoco.
A lifelong career with Mobil Chemical began in Beaumont in 1963. Joyce was a homemaker; she raised their children and made their home a place where friends often gathered. She enjoyed playing bridge and was active in a bowling league. Joyce enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends at the lake in the summer. Thanksgiving and Christmas were spent with family.
Joyce didn’t hesitate to pack up move to Australia in support of her husband’s new position with the company. Next it was an opportunity in New York that landed her in Connecticut. It wasn’t long before she would return to Beaumont and never have to leave again except on a few vacations that took her to some amazing places.
Beaumont is where she would make new friends and reunite with family. She would see her children finish school, she would see them finish college, she would see them get married, she would see her grandchildren, and she would lose a husband. Joyce would continue to live, continue to love, continue to care for her family, always tending to their needs above any that she might have.
Joyce lived for her family, her love gave them strength, her love provided security, that love will live on forever, that love will never die. She is preceded in death by her husband, Laurence McMakin; father, Edd Rhodes; mother and stepfather, Opal and Allen R. Odgen; brother, Aaron Rhodes and his wife, Sally; and nephew, Ed Rhodes.
Her legacy of survivors include her son, Arthur Douglas McMakin and his wife, Brenda; their daughter, Caroline Gear and her husband, George, and their children, Cameron, Ella Mae, and Adalynn; their son, Charles Klein and his wife, Crystal and their children, Cambree, Case and Copelyn; their son, Arthur Douglas McMakin II his fiancée Claire; and their daughter, Madalyn McMakin her fiancé Chris, all of Beaumont, Texas; her daughter, Laura Ann Wagner and her husband, Wesley, of Ingram, Texas; their son, Russell Wagner and his wife, Eliza and their children, Ogden and Aylett of Kerrville, Texas; their son, Travis Wagner and his wife, Alise; their son, Beau of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and their daughter, Lauren Kannady her husband, Justin, and their children, Wesley and Cole of Tulsa Oklahoma; her son, Bradley Earl McMakin and his wife, Tonia and their son Matthew of Fayetteville, Arkansas; her sister, Dixie Ogden Jarrott and her husband, George; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews that she loved so dearly.
Memorial contributions may be made to Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707, a place close to her heart.
A gathering of Mrs. McMakin’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with her funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers are Russell Wagner, Travis Wagner, Charley Klein, Art McMakin, Matthew McMakin, George Gear, Justin Kannady, and Chris Messina.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- November 23, 2024
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- November 23, 2024
- 1:00 pm
Interment
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
- November 23, 2024
My prayers of comfort go out to all who loved Joyce and there were so many. Joyce had big impact on our lives by becoming a teacher, a customer, and a dear friend! Her and Lawrence always made us feel like family and family meant the world to them both. From watching them live in the midst of a huge remodel, loving every minute of it; to being my personal market advisor; Joyce was a big part of who I am today!! She will be missed greatly but know she is at peace with her soulmate Lawrence with God! Peace be with you all!
Doug, Laura Ann & Brad,
What wonderful memories came to me when I learned of your mom’s passing. So much love and kindness she showed all of us growing up together! I will always remember those times with joy and happiness! May God Bless all of you and may she Rest in Peace.
McMakin family, I recently learned of Joyce’s passing. I am truly sorry for your loss and I hope that you find peace and comfort knowing that she’s in Heaven watching over all of you and that she has been reunited with her beloved husband. God bless you all.
A person filled with love, incredibly good taste and compassion…this is my best memory of Joyce. I enjoyed her friendship for many years up to the last year of her life. If all mothers could be as good as she was, the world would be a better place!
Laura, Doug, Brad and family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. Your mom was such a kind and loving person, and we feel blessed to have known her. Please know that we are praying for your family, and we ask that our good Lord grant you peace and comfort during this time of grief.
Mark and Carrie
Dear Laura, Doug and Brad,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I loved your moms beautiful smile and genuine heart. May the memories and love you all shared help you all during this most difficult time.
Love you,
Angie LaBiche
So sorry for your loss. I met her only briefly but was inspired by her genuine love for her family.
Sorry to hear of your loss Doug. May our Lord’s comfort shine you and yours, during your time of sorrow and always… Amen.
Lee and Gina Acevedo.
Sorry to hear of your loss Doug. May our Lord’s comfort shine you and yours, during your time of sorrow and always… Amen.
Lee and Gina Acevedo.
She was a dear neighbor for many years, and she helped many of us score the best Beanie Babies at the pharmacy during that craze !
Our sincere sympathy to all of her family, may she rest in peace.
To my dear cousins, This is not goodbye, we will see her again. You guys were blessed with the best and she was so very proud of all of you. And we got the privilege of having a very special, loving, generous, compassionate and beautiful lady as our Auntie Joyce. She was the classiest lady I have ever known and exemplified Proverbs 31:10-31. She will be greatly missed. Loved her so very much and love you guys.
So sorry to hear the news about Joyce. Made me think fondly of the Lunch ladies (Theresa, Molly, Virginia, Dorothy) who I’m sure ran to meet her at the Pearly Gates with open arms and a glass of wine, ready to catch up on everything. Joyce was an amazing, classy, generous woman who had the best laugh ever! I’m sure she’ll be missed by her family and friends. Prayers to her children and their loved ones….nothing like the loss of your mother. Much love-Betty-Ann
Sorry for your Loss Doug. May you find comfort in your precious memories of happier times.
Doug, Laura, Brad,
Your mother was a beautiful person. She had a great gift of making each of us feel special by showing a genuine interest in me, my family and others. Although, I haven’t seen her recently it was always a pleasure visiting with her. She will be missed, but I know she is now in the presence of our lord, her family and friends for eternity. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. May God bless you and your family.
Jim
Beautiful lady inside and out. Many great memories. My condolences to the family.
To Laura Ann, Doug, Brad and Family: I am so very sorry for your loss. And I feel blessed to have known and loved your mom. Praying for peace and comfort.
What a great lady and dear friend. May she Rest In Peace.