Joyce Canada, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Joyce was born on December 29, 1942, in Houston, Texas, to B. Park and Mary Lee Shepherd. She built a beautiful life centered around the people she loved most.

For 62 years, Joyce shared her life with her husband, Warren Canada. Together, they built a family and a lifetime of memories. Their marriage was filled with love, friendship, laughter, and adventure. In retirement, Joyce and Warren especially enjoyed traveling and taking cruises together. Sometimes they traveled just the two of them, and other times they shared those adventures with family and friends. They were always looking forward to the next trip and the next memory they would make together.

Joyce spent many years as a teacher at Kohfeldt Elementary in Texas City, where she dedicated herself to her students. Teaching was an important part of her life, and the care and kindness she showed others extended well beyond her classroom. Even into retirement, you could always count on Joyce to know how to spell a word or do some quick math, which meant she was always the scorekeeper when she played games.

Travel became one of Joyce's great joys. She loved cruising, as well as taking trips on land, and enjoyed visiting places including Italy, Colorado, New York, and Alaska. She traveled with friends and family and became part of a travel group that brought her many wonderful experiences. She was particularly proud of reaching Pinnacle status on Royal Caribbean in 2024.

Those who knew Joyce would describe her as fun, happy, warm, kind, and giving. She loved playing bridge, spending time with her friends, and enjoying new adventures. Above all else, family was truly the center of Joyce's life. Nothing brought her more joy than being surrounded by the people she loved.

Joyce was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church, where her faith and community were an important part of her life.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, B. Park and Mary Lee Shepherd, and her brother, Larry Shepherd.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Warren Canada; her daughters, Lynn McClain and Donna Uhl (Eric); her grandchildren, Kayla Whitley (Corey), Brady McClain (Brittany), Austin Uhl, and Mason Uhl; her great-grandchildren, Carson and Kylie Whitley and Braxton and Brooklyn McClain; as well as extended family and many dear friends who loved her deeply.

Joyce leaves behind a lifetime of love and memories that will continue through her family and the many friends whose lives she touched.

While we will miss her deeply, we can be grateful for the life she lived and the love she gave so freely. We will remember her warmth, her kindness, her laughter, her love of adventure, and the joy she found in being surrounded by the people she loved.

Joyce, thank you for the love you gave us, the memories you created with us, and the example you gave us of how to live a life filled with family, friendship, kindness, and joy.

We love you, and we will miss you always.

Family and friends are invited to gather in celebration of Joyce's life on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at St. John's United Methodist Church in Texas City, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the service immediately following at 12:00 p.m.