Joyce was born March 24, 1935 in Munday, Texas to Henry and Mildred Pierce. She met George James and they married in Clovis, NM on July 28, 1951. She and George were longtime members of Second Baptist Church in Amarillo.
She is preceded in death by her granddaughter, Amber, and her beloved pugs, Rufus and Sambi.
Joyce is survived by her husband George; three daughters, Lindia Benningfield and husband David of San Antonio, Leah Guard and husband Randy , and Stacey McClain and husband Mickey, both of Amarillo; two sons, Wyatt James and wife Debbie of Amarillo and Wade James and wife Jan of Santa Rosa, CA; her sister, Robi Hill of Amarillo and twelve grandchildren, Lorel, Cohen, Aston, Mark, Truitt, Melissa, Brad, Brian, Tyson, Stephanie, James and Johnny.