Joyce Newland Fisher

Joyce Newland Fisher gloriously and peacefully entered into the kingdom of heaven on our Lord’s Day, Sunday, January 28, 2007. Born on November 9, 1928 in Medford, Oregon to Grace Jennings Newland and Cecil Bascome Newland. She enjoyed a fulfilling and adventurous life.

As a child in Denison, Texas at the age of nine she mastered driving a twelve-geared family farm truck. In her youth, she piloted a passenger boat for her father’s summer business and also enjoyed performing in his magic shows.

She majored in art and minored in textiles. Joyce was from a family of ladies who created exquisite needlework. She excelled in oil painting, brush and palette knife, flower arranging and garden design, sewing, knitting and embroidery.

On December 28, 1947 Joyce married her sweetheart, John Clinton Fisher in First Baptist Church of Denison, Texas.

She was a youth church leader for 25 years in both Port Arthur and San Antonio and deaconess in the First Christian Church of San Antonio. Joyce and Clint led and participated in various bible studies and prayer groups throughout Washington County.

Joyce excelled being on the Board of Brenham Heritage Museum, coordinating efforts with former Mayor Buster Appel for acquisition of the Federal Building for the museum. She was responsible for the tremendously successful fundraisers, “An Evening to Remember”, an elegant musical tribute of Brenham’s musical talent. These galas were responsible also for the Silsby Fire Engine House.

Joyce and Clint celebrated 56 years of loving marriage. Joyce lived in Brenham for 26 years where she was a member of First Baptist Church. For the past 19 years she and her family have been the owners of Seek and Find Antiques, The Lamplighter Shop and Texas Store in beautiful downtown Brenham.

Her father, husband and sister Carol Jean Blagg preceded her in death.

Her surviving loving family includes her 100 year young mother Laura Grace Newland of Gainesville, Texas; daughters Joy Fisher Hein and husband Frank of Medina Lake, Texas, Janet Carol Fisher of Brenham and son John Clinton Fisher II and wife Dr. Cynthia Laney Fisher of Paris, Texas; 9 grandchildren Christopher Covey and wife Karen, Kimberley Leible and husband David, Holly Hein Brooks and husband Bryson, Kylee Ann Fisher, John Clinton Fisher III, Thomas Alexander Fisher, Jonathan Sharp and wife Tiffany, Elizabeth Werthington and husband Kevin, Heidi Peron Sullivan and husband Brad; 6 great-grandchildren Seth and Morgan Leible, Willow Caneil Covey, Tyler Wade, Ashley and Alyssa Sharp and the blessing of three more great-grandchildren soon; sister Joann Cravens and husband Joe of Nederland, Texas along with numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive guests Thursday, February 1, 2007 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 2, 2007 in First Baptist Church of Brenham. The Rev. Steve Ponder and Rev. Troy Sikes will officiate. Interment will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Frank Hein, Christopher Covey, David Leible, Bryson Brooks, Jonathan Sharp, Kevin Werthington, John Clinton Fisher III and Thomas Alexander Fisher. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Cravens, Jim Humphrey, Ron Upchurch, Roy Jennings, Henry Jennings, Bob Prejean, Will O’Brien, Doyal King, Charlie Matejowski, Dr. Robert Haydon, Charlie Mullins and Nelson White and nephews Jim, Jeff and Randy Blagg and Joe Cravens, Jr.

Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church Pipe Organ Fund, P. O. Box 600, Brenham, Texas 77834 Brenham Heritage Museum, 105 South Market St., Brenham, Texas 77833 or a charity of choice.

Funeral services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 979.836.3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com