Obituaries

Hermann Hans Reicher, of Groesbeck, passed away January 18, 2021 in Round Rock, Texas at the age of 79. Graveside services were held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 22, 2021 in the LaSalle Cemetery.

Stephen Lewis Shelton, of San Angelo, passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at age 73, after a battle with his health.

Joyce Carter Walts entered peacefully into eternal rest at the Brazos Valley Hospice Inpatient Center on January 18, 2021, after a two and a half year battle with cancer. Joyce was born on July 20th, 1936 in St. Louis, Oklahoma to William Alfred Carter and Angela Jacobi Carter. The family moved to Ganado, Texas when Joyce was a small child and then to Freeport, Texas in the 1940s. Joyce attended Catholic schools in Freeport before attending a high school (Loretta Academy) in El Paso. She finished her final high school year at Brazosport High School in 1954. Joyce graduated from Durham Business College in Houston then was employed by Dow Chemical. She worked in several departments for four decades. She studied and earned a CPS certification while being employed. Joyce attended St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Freeport until her retirement in the 90s. Joyce met Jim Walts in Freeport where they dated for two years and married at St. Mary’s in Freeport on June 16, 1956. The couple had two sons: James Franklin Walts Jr. (Jimmy) and Andrew Walts in 1959 and 1961. Joyce was a supportive mother as she was present at every Fun Football, Pee Wee League, Little League, Pony League, and Teenage League baseball games as well as any school function the boys had. She made many friends while supporting her sons while they grew up. Jim and Joyce retired from Dow Chemical in the 1990s and moved to Franklin, TX where they spent their golden years together. They have cherished memories of their grandchildren visiting the ranch. Joyce volunteered at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and organized the Altar Society, served on Parish Council and other church groups. She served on the Franklin Library Board and donated her time to the local library. She was a member of the local Garden Club. Joyce was a hard worker, a perfectionist, and a private individual. Joyce gave her time and talent to those in need. She was a devout catholic. Joyce went on two pilgrimages to Medjugorje, Bosnia. Those who knew her best-loved her the most. She will not be soon forgotten. Joyce was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and sister (Mary Fontenot). Joyce is survived by her husband, two sons, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. A private memorial mass will be held due to Covid19. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are to be sent to the Brazos Valley Hospice at hospicebrazosvalley.org in Joyce’s name.