Joyce Stagg

LAKE ARTHUR

  Funeral services for Joyce Stagg, 90, of Lake Arthur, will be held on Wednesday, December 26, at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arthur with Reverend Jay Alexius officiating.  Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery under the direction of Miguez Funeral Home.

  Visitation for Mrs. Stagg will begin Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m.  A rosary will be recited at 1:00 p.m.

  Joyce Marie Hymel was born on March 18, 1928, the third of seven children, to Willie and Melissa Richard Hymel of 324 Railroad Ave., Lake Arthur, Louisiana.  She graduated from Lake Arthur High School in 1945.  After graduation, she began working on the nursing staff at what is now known as Jennings American Legion Hospital until 1952.

  She married William “Bill” Lee Stagg on May 25, 1952.  Two years later, she became a mother for the first time.  In 1959, they moved into a home at Route 1, Box 15, where she and Bill raised their three children for the next 60 years.

  In September 1991, her husband became ill and she cared for him in their home until his death in December 2005.

  Joyce lived a full and happy life.  She enjoyed sewing, especially clothes for her young daughter, Chris.  She loved collecting recipes and cookbooks, baking pies, cakes, and cookies, and also canning figs and jellies for her family.  She had an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor.

  She was a life-time member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church of Lake Arthur.

  She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Melissa Richard Hymel; her husband, William “Bill” Stagg; her sister, Gloria Crochet and her brothers Sidney Hymel and Willie Hymel, Jr.

  Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Jackie (Genevieve) Stagg of Lake Arthur, Chris (David) Guidry of Maurice, and Gregg (Naomi) Stagg of Lake Arthur.  She also leaves behind her sisters Patsy Gauthier of Lake Arthur and Roberta “Bobbie” Wade of South LaQuinta, California; her brother, Tommy Hymel of Iowa and sister-in-law, Ruth Conner of Jennings.  She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as “Granny Joyce.”

  Pallbearers will be Gregg Stagg, Derek Guidry, Jason Stagg, William Stagg, Drew Knott, and Jake Knott.

  The Stagg family would like to extend gratitude to the staff who helped provide care to Joyce in her final years.