PORT O’CONNOR – Joyce Yvonne Raby, 86, of Port O’Connor, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. She was born in Seadrift, Texas on June 18, 1929 to the late Vernon Sampson and Ida Belle Cowen Helms. Joyce owned Raby Seafood for over 40 years in Port O’Connor and she and her husband enjoyed gardening, but most of all she loved her family and enjoyed helping others.

She is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, Dan Raby; son, Michael R. Raby and wife Bridget; brother Leonard Dale Helms and wife Diana; grandchildren Brandon Raby, Nicholas Raby, Amanda Raby Smith and Alan Raby; great grandchildren Austin, Aria and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sons Rocky Allen and Dennis Sherman Raby, three sisters and seven brothers.

Graveside Services were held on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Seadrift Cemetery.

Condolences and memories can be shared online at www.gracefuneralhome.net.

Following are excerpts from a Dolphin Talk article by Jasmine Gordon, Remembering Roemerville:

“Joyce remembers attending school in both Roemerville and Seadrift. Her family moved back and forth for several years to the small farming community, where her father worked as a tenant farmer.

She remembers her teacher, Charlotte Roemer, would bring the kids food during the depression. They had only the basics like flour and coffee. It was a luxury when they had peanut butter or syrup on a biscuit.

I greatly enjoyed spending the afternoon with Joyce Raby (and Dorothy Geraldine Williams Wilson) as they taught me about old Roemerville, reminisced, and sang various songs from their childhood.”

Editor’s Note: Joyce Raby was known for her pleasant nature, kindness and hard work. She was also an excellent writer, once writing an article about the admirable women of old Port O’Connor. If we can ever find the copy, we will reprint it. (It was before the Dolphin Talk was saved on computer.)