JOYCE CAPPS July 18, 1914 - February 27, 2006



Obituary from the "MASON COUNTY NEWS", page 3 on March 8, 2006

Joyce Capps, eldest daughter of John Stanton Capps and Laura Maria Hayes Capps, departed this world February 27, 2006, at 3:25 p.m. at the Deer Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Wimberley, Texas.
Ms Capps was a lifetime resident of this area, born on July 18, 1914, on her family ranch near Fredonia. Raised at the ranch and in Brady, Miss Capps attended the Fashion Institute of Chicago and Southwest Texas State Teachers College (Texas State) in San Marcos, before moving to Austin, where she worked for the local radio station that became KLBJ. She was proud of her work and of her contacts with state government officials, visiting the LBJ ranch on several occasions.
Joyce owned her own millinery shop in Austin and was known for her distinct sense of style. She was a woman of her times and a breed apart, one of the generations of strong women who settled and managed this part of Texas. Returning to Fredonia to care for her aging parents, she assumed the responsibilities of managing the ranch and became a member of the San Saba Historical Society and worked closely with the Mason County Historical Society as well. She loved Mason County as was very active in the community, attending school functions and staying involved in a variety of activities for many years. A strong supporter of local merchants, she encouraged others to shop locally and stay interested in community affairs. She focused her spare time on learning and writing the genealogy of the Capps and Hayes families. Ms Capps was an avid genealogist and printed a number of books on her family tree as well as important genealogy books for San Saba and Mason County, among them the first cemetery census. Her books include "The Family of John A. and Mahla
(Capps) Jones", "William Ransom Capps and Eliza Jane Jones", "Mason County Census Records for: 1860, 1870 and 1880", "Mason County Census for 1900", and "Texas - 1900 - Texas of San Saba County".
Ms Capps is survived by her sister, Ruth Capps Ney of Fredonia, two nieces: Maggie Gasior and husband Phil of Lawrenceville, Georgia and Susan Varvil and husband Bob of Indianapolis, Indiana; and four nephews: Paul Ney and wife Laurie of Sun City, California, Richard Ney of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Charles Ney and wife Michelle of San Marcos. She is also survived by six great-nieces and one great-nephew: Angie Gasior, Debbie Peltier and husband Bill, Rachel Ney, Cameron Ney, Tabatha Herrera and husband Victor, Jeremy Varvil and wife Stacy, and Dawn Rance and husband Shane; as well as by ten great-great-nieces and nephews: Faith and Philip Peltier; Alicia, Amber, Ashley and Joshua Herrera; Jocelyn, Olivia and Cayman Varvil and Austin Rance.
Funeral Services were held on Friday, March 3, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at Mason Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Jim McWilliams officiating. Burial followed at Deer Creek Cemetery in San Saba County. Serving as Pallbearers were Paul Ney, Richard Ney, Robert Ney, Charles Ney, Phil Gasior and Bob Varvil.
Funeral arrangements were intrusted to Mason Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family on-line at masonfuneralhome.net

Transcribed by Carol Martin from copy of the "MASON COUNTY NEWS".