Joyce Jeanette Evans Tyer of Hale Center passed away April 27, 2017, at age 86. Joyce was born to Boone and Eula Evans in Post, Texas, on February 12, 1931. She graduated from Post High School in 1948 and West Texas State College in 1952. Joyce was a public school teacher for 40 years. She began her teaching career at Plains ISD in 1952 before marrying Gene Tyer on August 6, 1954. She then taught at Meadow ISD, Frenship ISD, and 30 years at Hale Center ISD, teaching 7th & 8th grade Texas & U.S. history, retiring in 1992. "Mrs. Tyer's history projects" were legendary. She was an advocate for public school education and the local public library. Joyce was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma and recently served as President of the Pioneer Study Club and President of the Hale Center Public Library Advisory Board. She was a loyal member of the First United Methodist Church in Hale Center for over 50 years, having served on multiple boards and committees. Joyce was also an avid Red Raider fan who still held season tickets to Lady Raiders' basketball.

Joyce is survived and beloved by her husband of 62 years, Gene Tyer of Hale Center, daughter Terri Tyer Mills and her husband, Scott, of Borger, TX, daughter Tanya Tyer Smitherman and her husband, Shannon, of Carrollton, TX, and 6 grandchildren: Haylee Sherwood and her husband, Brock, of Canyon, TX, Kristen Mills of Lubbock, TX, and Shea, Kate, Joel, and Michael Smitherman of Carrollton. She adored 2 great-granddaughters, Blakelee and Westyn Sherwood. She also loved her many nieces and nephews and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Dale Tyer of Floydada, TX.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Boone and Eula Evans, brother Jack Evans, two sisters, Marion Wheatley and Nedra Foster, and her granddaughter, Whitney Lynn Mills.

Services will be held Monday, May 1, at 11:00 am, at First United Methodist Church in Hale Center, Reverend Jimmy Cameron officiating. Interment will follow at Hale Center Cemetery under the direction of Ramage Funeral Directors. Pallbearers include Scott Mills, Shannon Smitherman, Michael Smitherman, Joel Smitherman, Michael Foster, Brock Sherwood, Brandon Cain, & Eric Manry. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 30, 4:00-6:00 pm at Ramage Funeral Directors in Hale Center.

The family suggests memorials to the Hale Center Public Library P.O. Box 214 or First United Methodist Church P.O. Box 1258 Hale Center, TX 79041.