Joyce Bernice (Sullivan) Barrett

Sept. 26, 1943 – Feb. 24, 2025

Funeral services for Mrs. Joyce Barrett, 81, of Carthage were held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Kirby Hill officiating. Her ashes will be interred in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 at Hawthorn Funeral Home. Mrs. Joyce Bernice Sullivan Barrett was born Sept. 26, 1943, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She passed this life peacefully Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 in Tyler. Joyce was one of seven children born to the marriage of Inis Bernice Williams and Frank Jefferson Sullivan. She was raised and schooled in Odessa and Kermit, graduating from Kermit High School. She was a graduate of Panola College and obtained her Bachelors of Education through Stephen F. Austin State University.

Joyce married her love Charles Wayne Barrett on June 11, 1961 and together they celebrated 58 years of marriage and raised two children before he preceded her in death in 2019. Mrs. Barrett worked as a bookkeeper for C.R. Anthony, a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Carthage. She spent many years as a real estate broker before pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher. She served as a reading resource teacher and reading specialist at Center Junior for two years and then for Jefferson Junior High until her retirement.

Joyce and Charles were both longtime members of Southside Baptist Church. She was active in her Xi Chi Lambda sorority, serving as president in 1987-1988. Most of all, she loved her family and her pet dog Boomer. Her life revolved around her husband Charles, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is also preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Johnny and Aubrey Dale Sullivan; sisters, Carolyn Harrison and Barbara Cargal.

Mrs. Barrett is survived by her devoted children, including daughter, Laura Barrett of Carthage; son, David Barrett of Holly Lake Ranch; sisters, Frankie Davis of Somerville, Norma Davis and husband Norman of Odessa; sister-in-law, Teresa Sullivan of Carrollton; grandchildren, Seth Barrett and wife Jessica of Holly Lake Ranch, and Dana Rodriguez and husband David of Tyler, Shelby Freeland and husband Jackson of Tyler; four great-grandchildren and two on the way; numerous nieces, nephews; and a host of friends.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.hawthornfuneralhome.com.