Mrs. Joyce Burlison of Palestine died peacefully at home in the care and comfort of her devoted family on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at age 91. A visitation with family and friends will be held at Bailey & Foster Funeral Home on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey Foster Funeral Home.

Joyce Burlison grew up in Uvalde, Texas. She obtained a B.A. from Baylor University and an M.A. from Sam Houston State University. Joyce met her husband, Benny Burlison, Sr., at Baylor University, and they married in 1955. Joyce held teaching positions for over 40 years at various public schools in Texas. After moving to Palestine

in 1963, Joyce taught homemaking at Westwood High School for several years. She then moved to Palestine High School to lead the vocational HECE program. She later became the Vocational Department Director at Palestine High School, where she remained until her retirement. Ms. Burlison, as she was widely known to her students

and colleagues, led many organizations and committees throughout her career, including the local chapter of Young Homemakers of America. She traveled with students to events throughout the region for competitions and conferences for many

years. She enjoyed her retirement years when she taught children's Sunday School classes at Trinity Church, the church founded and led by Rev. Benny Burlison and supported faithfully by Joyce Burlison for 37 years. After Rev. Burlison's retirement from

Trinity Church, the Burlisons lived in Richardson TX for 5 years before returning toPalestine in 2010 where Rev. Burlison pastored Holy Ground Worship Center for another 10 years. Joyce was a devout Christian throughout her life. Her faith was acentral part of her daily life.

Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rev. Benny Burlison, Sr. Joyce

and Benny shared their lives together in marriage for 64 years until Benny's death in January, 2020. Joyce is survived by son and daughter-in-law Ben and Laura Burlison of Allen TX and their children Sarah and Savannah Burlison; son and daughter-in-law Joe and Sheryl Burlison of Montgomery TX and their children Jacob Burlison and his wife

Erin and their children Ava and Lily of The Woodlands TX; Joshua Burlison and his wife

Paige Drake of Chicago IL; daughter and son-in-law Judy and Richard Roseborough of Dallas TX; as well as many other family members and nieces and nephews living in various states. Joyce is also survived by her dear sister, Marion Singleton, of Des Moines IA. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Iva Dean, her beloved sister, Betty Hilbert, her brothers-in-law, Roy Singleton and Jim Hilbert, and her niece Stephanie Singleton as well as her mother-in-law and father-in-law, E.F. and Rosalie Burlison, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce and Gerald Kidd.

Joyce was kind and caring; she enjoyed getting to know people and was ready to help when needed. She delighted in Christmas when her family would come home and spend extended time together. She was a tireless "doer" - she loved a good project.

Joyce enjoyed home décor, music, humor, gardening, and sewing, and made a point of looking her best for every occasion, especially her birthday lunches at Neiman's. Her sweet tooth and her Southern Chocolate Banana Cake remain legendary among the family. We will miss our loving Mom and "Ganny" dearly and will hold her memory close

in our hearts.

To view online leave condolences or sign the guest book go to www.baileyandfoster funeral home.com.

Joyce Burlison

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