Joyce McFarren Bowerman, a vibrant and loving soul, passed away peacefully in San Antonio, Texas, on February 15, 2025. Born in Marion, Indiana, Joyce's life was one of adventure, dedication, and boundless generosity.

In her early years, Joyce moved to central Mexico for 5 years when her stepfather was sent to help build a glass factory. She later returned to the U.S. for high school, living on her grandfather's farm in Bluffton and graduating from Rock Creek High School. A trailblazer in her family, Joyce was the first to earn a college degree, receiving her teaching credentials from Ball State University.

She began her career in Rushmore, Indiana, but her adventurous spirit led her to San Bernardino, California, and eventually to Germany, where she taught for the Department of Defense. A true Hoosier at heart, she had an unwavering love for basketball—so much so that she married a basketball coach she met at Sembach Air Force Base. Joyce and her husband, Jay, spent years traveling Europe while stationed abroad. Their eldest daughter, Julie, was born in Germany, and their youngest, Jill, arrived after they relocated to Jay's home state of Washington in 1967.

At just 5'2", Joyce was living proof that "great things come in small packages." She radiated energy and enthusiasm, pouring herself into mothering not only her own children but also her husband's players and their cheerleaders. Whether tutoring struggling players or organizing team gatherings, she was a steadfast source of support and encouragement.

A natural extrovert, Joyce was a community builder, a social organizer, and a friend to all. The word "stranger" simply wasn't in her vocabulary—everyone was just a friend she hadn't met yet. In Seattle, she cultivated a close-knit community through a co-op preschool, bringing together young families in daily and weekend gatherings. When her family moved to Canton, Ohio, in 1970 for her husband's first civilian head coaching job, she built yet another village among the professors and their families at a small Quaker college. In 1977, she found her final and most beloved home in Seguin, Texas, where she became a self-proclaimed "born-again Texan." There, she led "The Renegades," a group of spirited elementary educators, leaving an indelible mark on the community.

Following her divorce in 1980, Joyce was ahead of her time in co-parenting. Long before the term became widely recognized, she set an example by ensuring that holidays remained a time of unity. She continued hosting major celebrations with her ex-husband present, never wanting her daughters to have to choose between parents —a lasting testament to her selflessness and love.

In the mid-1980s, Joyce read about RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) and immediately knew she had to participate. In 1985, at 49 years old, she rode 500 miles across Iowa, an experience she loved but knew could be improved with company. She soon recruited her baby brother, high school best friend, and cousin, transforming the solo adventure into a cherished group tradition. By 1990, her youngest daughter had joined the journey as well. Over five years, Joyce proudly pedaled 2,500 miles through Iowa's cornfields, starting each ride by dipping her back tire in the Missouri River and finishing with her front tire in the Mississippi.

Joyce's passion for teaching extended far beyond retirement. As a resource teacher for Seguin ISD, she was patient, creative, and deeply invested in helping students unlock their potential. After retiring in 1996 with a personal goal of teaching until 90, she continued substitute teaching in San Antonio's NEISD until 2018. Though her aspiration was cut short by dementia, she faced the diagnosis with humor and determination, reading extensively about the condition and embracing the idea that both coffee and wine were beneficial—much to her delight.

Above all, Joyce's greatest joy was being "Granny" to her grandchildren, Jett and Laken. She was a dedicated presence in their lives, cheering them on in every endeavor and serving as a surrogate grandmother to their friends. Her energy, warmth, and unwavering support extended to Winston Churchill and Johnson High School's band programs, where she tirelessly fundraised and volunteered.

Joyce's boundless love for life, infectious smile, and unwavering devotion to her family and community leave a lasting legacy. She is survived by her daughters, Julie Bowerman Walker of San Antonio, Texas, and Jill Bowerman Jameson and partner Jeff Tausch of Ramona, California; grandson, Jett Walker and his wife, Hanna, of Macomb, Illinois; granddaughter, Laken Walker of Katy, Texas; son-in-law, Matt Walker of San Antonio, Texas; nephew Norman McFarren and wife Joy of Marion, Indiana; niece Kimbery McFarren Carroll and her husband Jay of Marion, Indiana; cousins, Tammy Husted and Billy Husted of Louisville, Kentucky; and Brent Dillon of Palm Springs, California; along with a host of great nieces and nephews.

Joyce's life was a testament to adventure, resilience, and the power of connection. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by the countless lives she touched.

Memorial Service will be held on Monday, March 10 at 11:00 at Tres Hewell Mortuary (165 Tor Dr,, Seguin, TX 78155).  A reception will follow. You may also view the livestreamed services here, https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/mf-fwp/hewell/hewell_20250310.html

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Friends of the Library, (for children's books), c/o Seguin-Guadalupe County Public Library, 313 West Nolte Street, Seguin, Texas, 78155.