Sharon Joyce Etchieson
June 21, 1940 - August 20, 2026
Sharon Joyce Etchieson, lovingly known as Joyce and, to generations of her family, simply as ''Nana,'' passed away on August 21, 2026, in Plano, Texas, at the age of 86. A memorial service celebrating Joyce's life will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel in Greenville, Texas.
Joyce was born in Tucson, Arizona, to William Campbell Vertrees and Hattie Mae Ayres Vertrees. She spent most of her adult life in Caddo Mills, Texas, where she built a life centered around the things that mattered most to her: faith, family, and loving others.
Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marshall Etchieson, who passed away in 2014. Together, they built a family that would grow to span generations. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her granddaughter, Sarah Willingham; and her niece, Alice Vertrees.
She leaves behind her five children, Lawrence ''Larry'' Etchieson and wife Terri, James Etchieson and wife Kathy, William ''Billy'' Etchieson and wife Pearl, Gina Etchieson, and Morningstar ''Starr'' Moreno; her brother, William Campbell Vertrees; her grandchildren, Brian Etchieson and wife Heather, Sarah Dudley and husband Travis, Marshall Lira, Micheal Etchieson and wife Sheila, Amanda Morrison, Daniel Etchieson, John Etchieson, Christopher Etchieson and wife Kacy, and Landon Moreno; her great-grandchildren, Weston, Trinity, Cayleigh, Maverick, Joseph, Kayla, Khloe, Baylie, Jason, Adrianna, Jordan, Ashton, Ava, Hannah, and Rebecca; as well as many great-great-grandchildren and niece, Annett Vertrees Bryson.
To simply list the members of Joyce's family, however, could never explain what being ''Nana'' meant to her.
Nana loved with her whole heart. She told everyone she met that she loved them and rarely let anyone leave her presence without a hug. She lived her life with a smile, spreading not only God's love but an abundance of her own. To know Nana was to know what it felt like to be welcomed, encouraged, accepted, and loved.
A woman of deep and abiding faith, Joyce was a longtime member of Vansickle Baptist Church in Greenville, Texas. Her faith was not something she merely spoke about; it was something she lived. She encouraged others with positive words, found reasons to be thankful, and showed kindness freely.
Joyce never asked for much in this life and was genuinely appreciative of everything she had. She loved animals of every kind and possessed a tender heart for both people and creatures. She was kind, caring, giving, and had a remarkable way of making those around her feel special.
Her family will remember her hugs, her smile, her words of encouragement, her love for the Lord, and, most of all, the unconditional love she gave so freely.
To know Nana was to love her, and to know Nana was to know that you were loved.
Following the service, Joyce's ashes will be taken to the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Marshall. After twelve years apart, Joyce and Marshall will once again be together.
Though Nana's family will miss her more than words can express, the love she poured into generations of her familyâ€"and into everyone fortunate enough to know herâ€"will remain.
Her legacy is love.
Obituary Provided By:
5100 Interstate 30 (at US-69)
Greenville, TX 75402
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