1931–2023
Joyce LaVerne Brown Adkins, age 92, of Lubbock, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023 in Lubbock. She was surrounded by her loving daughters.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023 at the Adams Funeral Home Chapel with Shannon Adkins officiating and Alan Fruge and Chris Riley assisting. Burial was held at Crosbyton Cemetery following the service.
Visitation was held from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Adams Funeral Home.
Arrangements were under the direction of Adams Funeral Home of Ralls.
Joyce LaVerne Brown was born to Richard A. and Elzie (Shoemaker) Brown on March 28, 1931 in Ralls, Texas. She graduated from Ralls High School in 1949.
Joyce married her high school sweetheart, Lawrence Montague Simmons, Jr., in 1949. He preceded her in death on July 28, 1957. From this marriage they had two daughters, Linda Simmons Page and Barbara Simmons Anderson and a son, Lawrence Montague Simmons, III.
She married Charles E. Drake in 1983, and he preceded her in death in 1986. Joyce remarried in 1994 to Bobby Earl Adkins, and he preceded her in death in 2002.
Joyce worked as office manager/bookkeeper for Mallory’s in Lubbock for four years and for Daco, Inc. in Lubbock for three years. She went to work for Scott Manufacturing as their office manager/bookkeeper and retired from there in 1994 after seven years of employment. In her early years, she worked for Simmons Mattress Company in Lubbock and Grand Prairie and for Miller Brewing Company of Grand Prairie.
Joyce had a strong Christian, Baptist faith and was baptized at the age of 12.
She was a sweet, loving and caring Mother, Granny, and Kiki, as she was called by her great-grandchildren. She was a great role model for her family…always having a positive attitude about life and being there when she was needed the most. She will truly be missed by her family and friends.
Joyce was met at the gates of Heaven by her son, Lawrence Montague Simmons, III; her parents, Richard and Elzie Brown; her brother, Clyde Brown; her son-in-law, Sam Page; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Those left to cherish her memories are her two daughters, Linda Simmons Page of Lubbock and Barbara Simmons Anderson and husband, Mike, of Floydada; her son, Ray Lemon, of Houston; her three grandsons, Monty Anderson and wife, Ginger, of Celina, Dusty Anderson and wife, Tunde, of Celina and Danny Crow and wife, Melanie, of Fort Worth; and her great-grandchildren, Peyton Anderson, Bella Anderson, Chloe Anderson, Brynlee Anderson and Jackson Crow. She is also survived by her nieces, Shelley Watts, Stacey Brown and Deana Paskow; her nephews, Murray Arbuckle, Kelly Simmons and Tracy Simmons; her great-nephew, Justin Brown; a stepson, Shannon Adkins; and numerous cousins.
Pallbearers were Monty Anderson, Dusty Anderson, Peyton Anderson, Mike Anderson, Justin Brown and Shannon Adkins.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to your favorite charity.
Online condolences may be made at www.adamsfuneral. com.