Joycelyn Fletcher

Joycelyn Virginia Young Fletcher, age 84, of Lawtell, Louisiana went to be with our Lord on August 13th, 2021 after losing her battle with a breakthrough case of COVID-19. She will be forever loved, remembered, and missed by all who knew her.

Joyce was born on August 13, 1937 in Eunice, Louisiana to Zachary Taylor Young Jr. and Vida Virginia Brinkman.  She graduated from Lawtell High School in 1955 and the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1958. She married the love of her life, Verne K Fletcher Jr., in 1959; and they resided together in St. Landry Parish for 57 years until his death in 2016.  Joyce began her career as a beloved high school teacher and basketball coach at Acadian Baptist Academy in Eunice, Louisiana and later moved to the St. Landry Parish School System where she taught junior high in Lawtell for over 30 years.

Joyce had a passion for teaching and an incredible love for every student.  She was also an avid gardener but was best known for her unwavering faith in God, caregiving spirit, and deep devotion to her family.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Opelousas where she also served her church faithfully as a volunteer and Sunday School Teacher for many years.

She is survived by: daughter, Karen Chambliss, and her husband Steve of Lawtell; daughter, Rhonda Fletcher Laster, and her husband Will of Holdenville, Oklahoma; son, Verne K. (Kenny) Fletcher, III, and his wife Stacey of Katy, Texas; twin sister, Jackie Tolson, and her husband Jack of Opelousas; and brother, Zack Young, and his wife Betty of Church Point. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren: Jared Chambliss and his wife Aimee; Erica Jimenez and her husband Jose Luis; Breyanna Harriman and her husband Eric; Brennan Gordon; Ashley Couch and her husband Tyler; and Kelly Fletcher; and great-grandchildren: Evangeline and Graham Chambliss and Hudson and Hayes Harriman.

Due the current COVID outbreak, Funeral services will be for family members only at Ardoin’s Funeral Home, Eunice, Louisiana. A burial will follow at Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church cemetery.  Officiating will be Dr. Perry C. Hubbs.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Acadian Baptist Center, 1202 Academy Road, Eunice, LA 70535.