Joyce Ann Atherton (Hanzelka) passed away on November 14, 2025 after a sudden illness.  She was sixty-seven years old and was born, January 13, 1958, and raised in Rosenberg, Texas.

Joyce married Ralph Atherton and they moved to Matagorda County where they raised their two daughters Melissa (Foster) and Tracy.  Joyce attended the University of Houston-Victoria and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Teaching.  She worked for Bay City ISD at Linnie-Roberts Elementary for 20 years before her retirement.  After her retirement, she continued her working journey as a part-time medical transcriptionist.

Joyce loved the simple things in life such as watching the birds and wildlife along with watching her flowers grow.  She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending many events; ensuring they all knew that Maw-Maw was watching their every move, and Jesus too!

Joyce is survived by her husband, Ralph Atherton; her mother Ruby Hanzelka her sister Janice (Marty) Wood of Dime Box, her daughter Melissa (Tim) Foster of Sweeny, her daughter Tracy Atherton of Van Vleck and ten grandchildren; TJ, Alyssa, Dakota, Savannah, AJ and Joyhannah (Foster); Dylan (DJ), Hunter, Trevor, Jason (Atherton); Shelby (Clayton), great-grand-children Joycelynn, and Lillie (Atherton) as well as many dearly loved family members and treasured friends.

She joins her eternal family in Heaven, including her father, Alfonce Hanzelka, and her grandson Parker Jax (PJ) Foster.

Joyce desired to be cremated and the family will be holding a celebration of life at First Methodist Church Bay City on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 1:00pm.