Joyce Nell Schneider Wittenburg died on Feb. 22, 2025, just two days after celebrating her 89th birthday.
Joyce was born on Feb. 20, 1936, to Herbert and Malinda Schneider, who instilled in her a strong work ethic, deep faith and a compassionate heart.
She attended Copperas Cove Elementary School and Copperas Cove High School, where she was a cheerleader and played on the girls’ basketball team. After high school she pursued a career in nursing, attending the University of Texas.
While in nursing school, Joyce met William “Bill” Ellis Wittenburg in December 1955, when he was home on leave from the Army. Their connection led to a long-distance courtship. After two years of letters, weekend visits and growing love, they married on March 22, 1958, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Midland.
Joyce and Bill raised three daughters in Midland where she pursued her nursing career at Midland Memorial Hospital.
In 1974, Joyce and Bill moved to Lampasas. Joyce embraced ranch life, supporting Bill’s passion for livestock while creating a loving home filled with laughter and playful banter. Later, they moved to Georgetown and then Lakeway.
As avid travelers, Joyce and Bill shared an enthusiasm for exploring the world. They traveled extensively, loved ocean cruising, and created many memories along the way, although Joyce’s greatest joy was always her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother.
Joyce’s Catholic faith was the foundation of her life. She found comfort and strength in her Lord Jesus Christ, and instilled that faith in her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughters Tamara Gravenor and husband Bill, Shara Fletcher and husband Keith, and Jeanna Canales and husband Cody; grandchildren Josh Gravenor and wife Jennifer, Brittlyn Pohl and husband Travis, Ryan Bear, and Larry Ramos, Shawna Sowder and husband Andrew, Briana Fletcher, Drakkar Canales and wife Ashton, and Chauncey Krause and husband Nicholas; greatgrandchildren Kennedy Pohl, Madison Pohl, Brooke Pohl, Ava Pohl, Benjamin Gravenor, Harrison Gravenor, Hudson Sowder and Dandy Canales.
She is also survived by her sister, Nancy White, and husband Phil; and Bill’s siblings, Robert Wittenburg and wife Deborah, and Mary Lou Wittenburg Parmer and husband Richard, along with a large and extended Wittenburg and Schneider family.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Bill Wittenburg; her sisters and brothers-inlaw, Hazel Ruth Post and husband John, and Verba Lynn Lowther and husband Bobby.
Funeral Mass will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Lometa on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m., with interment to follow at Senterfitt Cemetery. Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel Lampasas has charge of the arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to Joyce’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
