07/08/2026
Joyce Celia Lovell Salyer was born January 14, 1938, in Rochester, Michigan to Harry and Donna Lovell. Joyce was the fourth of six children and graduated from Rochester High School in 1956.
A year later she met Robert ‘Bob’ Salyer in September and they were married in December 1957. Now the wife of a Soldier, Joyce moved to Italy in 1963 and then to Germany before moving back to the States, to Fort Bliss Texas. Their first child, Donna Clarice entered their lives in April 1967 and soon thereafter, Roy Edward arrived in March 1968.
The family settled in Borger, Texas in 1971 soon after Bob’s retirement from the Army. It was here that Joyce raised Donna and Roy and had a positive impact through her service to the community in many areas. Joyce was devoted to Fellowship Baptist Church, serving in the choir and as Church Treasurer for many years. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop leader and volunteered with the Parent-Teacher Association. Joyce became a Nurse’s Aide and worked at Golden Plains Hospital for a time. She became interested in holistic health and encouraged by a mentor became licensed in Iridology, Reflexology, and ultimately became a certified massage therapist. Joyce started her own business out of the family garage selling herbs, vitamins, and other home-health products and literature. She later opened “Inch by Inch” on Main Street in Borger in 1987. Always a “traveler” at heart, she closed-up shop in the mid-90’s and began traveling consistently. Whether to visit family or take a bus trip or cruise with her many friends, Joyce made it across the country, to Hawaii, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and a couple countries in Central America. She relocated to Harker Heights, Texas in 2005 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. There she found a church home and volunteered with the Gift Shop at Seton Medical Center. Joyce, like many in the Lovell family, was very artistic and talented. Throughout her life she picked up ‘many a skill’ to include sewing, candle making, cake decorating, calligraphy, ink-on-glass, leather crafts, water and oil painting, and ultimately became an avid quilter.
She was the last remaining sibling in her family and was preceded in death by her late husband Bob (1994) and a grandchild Addie McCall (2003). She is survived by her daughter Donna Salyer Duncan and husband Greg, their children Bailey Duncan Galloway and husband Collin, son Cooper, and daughter Macie; her son Roy Salyer and wife Georgia, their children Robert ‘Chase’, his wife Aubrey, and granddaughter Emilia, and sons Sean and Trent.
She passed away in the early morning hours of June 23, 2026, at home with family.
•In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give to your local church or faith-based charity.
•A celebration of life was held July 1st in Harker Heights, Texas. The family will hold a short ceremony at Highland Park Cemetery on July 20th at 0930 if you’d like to attend.
