Joyce Brazeal Modica, 68, died peacefully on Friday, March 9, 2007 with her family by her side.
Joyce Marie Brazeal was born on January 26, 1939 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Agnes and Henry Brazeal. During her childhood, she lived in many small Texas towns before her family settled in Beaumont in 1954. She graduated from South Park High School in 1956. Joyce married her high school sweetheart, Tommy Modica, Jr. on December 6, 1957. She worked in the family automotive business until her first child was born. She was a homemaker and very active in the lives of her husband and three daughters. For more than forty years, she was an involved member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, where she made lifelong friends.
She spent her life laughing with everyone around her. She dearly loved the life she was granted. She liked to swim, go to the beach, attend rodeos, and take care of her family. During these years, she returned to working in the family business and enjoyed traveling. Joyce and Tommy retired to Spurger, Texas in 1995, where her love of horses and ranch life continued.
Her greatest joy then came from the blessings of her six grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Joyce was the best MawMaw to Joseph Nuckols, Meg McKinley, Eli and Peyton Young, and Blaine and Brynn Hoffpauir. They are the six jewels in her crown in heaven. They loved her immensely, and she enjoyed every minute with them. She had a witty humor, a love of laughter and compassion for her family and friends.
Everyone knew her as sweet and caring. She put others before herself, always. Her incredible strength carried her through her fight with cancer for over three years.
Joyce appreciated all the time, effort, and care given to her by her many doctors and nurses of M.D. Anderson clinics and hospital.
Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Henry Brazeal; her father-in-law, Tommie Modica, Sr. and the love of her life, to whom she was married for forty-five years, Tommy Modica, Jr. She is survived by her mother, Agnes Brazeal of Silsbee; brother, Robert Brazeal and his wife Donna of Town Bluff; and mother-in-law, Lucille Modica of Beaumont; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, JoLena Raimer and her husband Kenneth, J. C. Modica and Gerri Modica, Sammy Modica and his wife Yvonne, and Mary Modica.
Joyce’s wonderful memory lives on through her daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Stuart McKinley of Orange, Melanie Modica-Young and Kyle Young of Bellaire, Anna and Clay Hoffpauir of Willis. She loved all of her nieces, nephews, and cousins.
There will be a celebration of Joyce’s life to share endearing times and happy memories. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17, 2007 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Her remains will rest next to her husband’s at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are Joseph Nuckols, Stuart McKinley, Kyle Young and Clay Hoffpauir. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday evening, March 16, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to any charity of your choice in her name.
