Laura Joyce Forgey was born September 13, 1932, in Dalhart, Texas. She was the daughter of W. A. Chapman and Gail B. Witt Chapman. She ascended to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 10, 2021, at the age of 89.
Joyce grew up in Dalhart and graduated from Dalhart High School in 1951. On January 12, 1952, she married Billy Ray (Bill) Forgey. They remained lovingly and faithfully married until his death on July 30, 2018.
They lived in Hitchcock, Coyle, and Wellston (all located in Oklahoma) where Bill taught vocational agriculture. She graduated from Central State University (now known as University of Central Oklahoma) in 1968 with a degree in elementary education. She taught first grade and kindergarten at Luther, Wellston, Sparks and Chandler. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, Wellston, for many years.
Joyce and her husband, Bill, moved to Athens, Texas in July 2008 where they became members of Sand Springs Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Ray (Bill) Forgey; parents; brother, Glenn Chapman; sister, Edna Gail McDonald; and her daughter-in-law, Pearl Forgey. Survivors include her sons, William R. (Bill) Forgey, Glendon S. Forgey; daughter-in-law, Judy Forgey; grandchildren, Seth Forgey and wife, Megan, Jenna Hammersberg and husband, Ben, Hannah Forgey; and one great-granddaughter, Tessa Nicole Tracy.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Trinity Baptist Church, Wellston, followed by graveside services at the Wellston Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home of Athens, Texas and Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.