Joyce Marie Burke Lewis, 77, passed away peacefully in Bryan, Texas, on August 24, 2026. She was born in Freer, Texas, on June 30, 1949, to Ted Adam and Clara Mae Burke.

Joyce grew up in Freer with her two older brothers, Ted Jr. and Jack. At the beginning of her junior high school years, her family moved to Calallen, where her love of athletics quickly became an important part of her life. She played basketball, volleyball and participated in band for the Calallen Wildcats throughout junior high and her freshman and sophomore high school years. When her family returned to Freer for her junior year, Joyce continued participating in sports and also became a high school twirler for the band. She graduated from Freer High School in May 1967.

Joyce went on to attend Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education. Her passion for athletics and education naturally led her to a successful career as a physical education teacher and coach.

Joyce married Robert Mumford in 1969, and in March 1971 they welcomed their son, Robert Wayne Mumford II. Joyce began her coaching career with Weslaco ISD. Over the course of 27 years, she dedicated herself to teaching and coaching young people. She taught Physical Education and coached at Cuellar Elementary with fifth- and sixth-grade students, and later became head coach at Mary Hoge, working with seventh- and eighth-grade students. Joyce took great pride in being an athletic coach and PE educator, and the positive influence she had on generations of students remained an important part of who she was.

In March 1977, Joyce married Frank Lewis Jr. of Weslaco. Together, Joyce and Frank raised their son Robert and shared 40 years of marriage filled with love, companionship, and a life they built together. Frank preceded her in death in October 2017.

Following Frank’s passing, Joyce moved to Bryan, Texas, to be closer to her only son, Robert, and his family. There she treasured her time with her grandson, Burke, watching him grow from a child into a husband and father. Her family lovingly knew her as “Memaw,” a name that reflected the special place she held in their hearts.

Joyce loved life and cherished the simple pleasures that brought her happiness. She enjoyed fishing at South Padre Island and spending time at her lake property in Mathis. She especially loved being surrounded by her family and watching the next generations grow. Her love of sports, education, family remained a constant throughout her life.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Clara Burke; her brothers, Ted and Jack Burke; and the love of her life, Frank Lewis Jr., to whom she devoted 40 years of marriage.

She is survived by her loving son, Robert Wayne Mumford II, and his wife, Samantha Downey Mumford, of Bryan; her grandson, Burke Mumford, and his wife, Jessica Garrett Mumford, of Bryan; and her two great-grandsons, Brody Adam Mumford and Jax Harvey Mumford. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Sandra Burke, and niece, Dawn Burke, of Lafayette, Louisiana; and her nieces, Tina Frankel and Laura Fischer, of Bryan. She also leaves behind the members of the College Station Fire Department, where her son Robert serves, who became a special part of Joyce’s extended family and whom she held close to her heart for the last 34 years.

Joyce is also survived by her extended family from her previous marriage, her mother-in-law, Delores Conway of Corpus Christi, and members of the Mumford family, who remained an important part of her life and family through the years.

A private service celebrating Joyce’s life will be held at a later date with family and close friends.

Joyce leaves behind a legacy of love, family, and the many young lives she touched through her years as a teacher and coach. To her family, she was much more than an educator and coach—she was Mom and “Memaw.” She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.