Joyce Elaine Stockwell

Joyce Elaine Hoag Stockwell, 87, widow of C.S. P-Nut Stockwell, danced her way into heaven after a peaceful death on March 1, 2010, at Maison de Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana. She battled several illnesses for the last few years and was most recently under the care of Hospice of Acadiana since February 19, 2010. Born Feb. 27, 1923 in Welsh, Louisiana, to Mildred Mae West Hoag & Warren Wynan Hoag, Joyce enjoyed an adventurous life with her brother Billy, growing up surrounded and nurtured by a large, loving family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents; as well as the members of her church, the First Presbyterian Church in Jennings. She was the granddaughter of Cora Beals and Frederick Leeson West; and Amanda Elizabeth Mosher Hoag & Matthew A. Hoag. She began her early education in Beaumont, Texas, transferring to Jennings schools at the age of 9. She graduated from Jennings High School upon completion of her junior year due to the closing of the schools during the Depression. At the age of 18, she went on a blind date arranged by her close friend and fellow dancer, Helen Reaud Segar Buffington. Her date was a handsome, charming young Texan driving a blue convertible with the last name of Stockwell who swept her off her feet, persuaded her to marry him, and then moved her back to Beaumont, Texas, where she was delighted to renew acquaintances with friends. They were there several years, starting a family, before returning to Jennings in 1944. An accomplished dancer and singer, Joyce trained in the Sue Farrior School of Dance in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She established the Joyce Stockwell School of Dance where she taught several generations of aspiring dancers in Jennings and the surrounding area for many years. She particularly enjoyed bringing her students to participate in dance workshops and conventions in Houston and New Orleans. Her annual dance revues were very flamboyant and are in the hearts and memories of all of those who participated in many different ways. Also devoted to her church and community, Joyce was elected to the First Presbyterian Churchs Board of Deacons where she served until her illness. She was the youth choir director in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and a veteran Sunday School teacher. She served in many leadership roles around the parish, including the Golden Oil Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee. Joyce composed theme-songs and choreographed the dance numbers. When Radio Station KJEF first signed on the air in the 1950s, it featured Joyces live singing performance. In the early 50s, she was in charge of the Saturday Talent Show at the Bruce Theatre where she encouraged many local youth to participate and compete. Ever a fan of the arts, she researched and wrote her high school term paper on Orson Welles; her favorite novel was Jane Eyre, and she relished the later movie starring Welles. Joyce volunteered frequently at the Zigler Museum and participated in Christmas programs throughout the city. An avid movie fan, her tastes ranged from the dramatic to musicals and science fiction, becoming a Trekkie with the advent of the Star Trek movies and TV series. She took delight in the accomplishments of her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren occasionally accompanying many of them to jazz concerts, ballets, and other musical performances. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Seward P-Nut Stockwell who died in 1991; one son, Charles Michael Mike Stockwell who died in 2006; one brother, W. W. Billy Hoag, and his wife Betty Marie Breaux Hoag; her parents, Mildred Mae West Hoag and Warren Wynan Hoag; and her step-father, Benjamin Franklin Rhodriguez. She is survived by two daughters and one son: Thomas Carey Stockwell & his wife, Linda Stodder Stockwell of Jennings; Suzanne Smith & her husband, William Dunham Smith Jr., of Lafayette LA; Karen Joy Chargois & her husband, Richard Rick Chargois of Lafayette; and her beloved daughter-in-law Sheila Aguillard Stockwell of Lake Charles, LA, widow of Mike Stockwell. She is also survived by her Grandchildren: William D. Tripp Smith III and his wife Dona H. Smith, of Jennings; Erin Elizabeth Smith Briggs, of Lafayette; Judith Ann Smith LeJeune and her husband Matthew Kade LeJeune, of Lafayette; Allison Day Smith Breaux and her husband Joshua J. Breaux of Lafayette; Christi Nicole Richard Judice and her husband Blaine, of Lafayette; Brandi Nicole Chargois Rogers and her husband Joey, of Lafayette; Erika Lee Chargois Chiasson of Sulphur; Amy Renee Chargois of Lafayette; Christine Ann Chargois of Lafayette; Meredith Stockwell Gray and her husband Bob Gray of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Lesli Stockwell Turner of Lake Charles; Nathan Stockwell and his wife Stephanie, of Rockville, Maryland; Heather Stockwell and Ashlee Stockwell, of Lake Charles, Ryan Thomas Stockwell and his wife Pam Stockwell, of Jennings; and Sarah Elizabeth Stockwell Frederick and her husband Rigsby Frederick of Baton Rouge. Great-Grandchildren are: Kristen Hope Smith Cassidy and her husband Patrick, Casey Paul Smith, Mallory Ann Gunn, Lila Grace LeJeune, Kathryn Claire Briggs, Leslie Anne Briggs, Shawn William Gress, Kylie Christine Hanks, Lorin Nicole Judice, Keegan Lane Chargois, Morgan Kate Rogers, Alexis Sedano, Jayden Slade Stockwell, Christian Michael Turner, William Alistair Turner, and Paris Michelle Frederick. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren who she dearly loved and cared for as her own. Betty Ann Hoag Caraway and William Kent Caraway, of Welsh; Martha Mae Hoag Conner of LeBleu Settlement; Warren W. Hoag Jr. and Dr. Martha Sabatier Hoag of Jennings; Mari Catherine Hoag Cassidy and Ted Cassidy of Jennings; Julie Marie Hoag Klumpp and Gary Klumpp of Lake Charles; Patricia Hoag Semar of Lake Charles, Jody Frank Hoag and Wendy Bordelon Hoag, of Jennings; Nancy Jane Hoag Bordelon and Jeff Bordelon of Jennings; and Retired U.S. Marine Major Kenneth Hoag and Rachel Hanks Hoag of Valrico, Florida. Joyce had many cousins who so faithfully kept in touch with her during her later years, visiting, and offering their love and support, especially Edwin E. Klingman of San Gregorio, California; and Pegi Emiliani of Carthage, Illinois who entertained her with delightful letters during the past five years. The family also wants to express their sincere appreciation to those who unselfishly gave of themselves to make Joyce most comfortable and cared for; Mrs. Eula Guillot and her associate Mrs. Bea Gardiner for their countless hours of dedicated and compassionate personal care. A special thanks also goes to the staff of Golden Age of Welsh in Welsh, Louisiana. She especially enjoyed her visits with Peggy Chaisson, Social Director. Peggys bright personality was a comfort to Mrs. Stockwell on a daily basis. Joyces final week was spent at a lovely suite at Maison de Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana under the care of Hospice of Acadiana. The family is so grateful to them for enabling Joyce to live with love and dignity in the end times of her life. She and the family were treated with such compassion by all who were involved with their care and support. A Celebration of Her Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Jennings, Louisiana, on Saturday, March 6, 2010 with Rev. Betty McGeehee officiating. Visitation will be at the church sanctuary and fellowship hall from 1:00 PM until 3:00 P.M. At 3:00 P.M. the celebration will begin in the sanctuary. The family respectfully requests that any memoriams go to the First Presbyterian Church, the Carnegie Public Library in Jennings; and Hospice of Acadiana in Lafayette.