Joy Kay Hancock Vasquez

(May 14, 1944 ~ November 5, 2025)

Joy, daughter of Jack W. Hancock and Frankie Lee Straley, married to Ernesto Vasquez and to be buried in Tecumseh Cemetery, Oplin, Callahan Co., Texas, USA

Joy Kay Vasquez passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in Abilene, Texas, at the age of 81. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Fry-Smith Funeral Home in Tuscola, Texas. Funeral services will take place at Windham Family Chapel in Ovalo, Texas, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., followed by interment at Tecumseh Cemetery.

Joy Kay Vasquez was born on May 14, 1944, in Coleman, Texas, to Jack and Frankie Lee Hancock.

Joy graduated from Jim Ned High School in 1962 and attended Texas Tech University, where she began her lifelong dedication to education. A gifted and passionate teacher, Joy taught junior high English in Lubbock, Austin, and Ysleta, inspiring generations of students with her patience and creativity. Later, she taught Spanish at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Mexico. During her years there, she co-authored a book on English as a Second Language with a colleague-an accomplishment that reflected her deep love for language, culture, and learning.

In 1970, Joy married the love of her life, Ernesto Vasquez, and together they built a life full of adventure, family, and faith. They lived in Guadalajara for 19 years before returning to Texas, where they spent many years in Laredo. In January of this year, Joy returned to her beloved family ranch-a place she cherished deeply. She loved sitting on the back porch, watching the animals, and taking in the beauty of nature.

Joy was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), serving faithfully in several capacities within each organization. She was also the family genealogist, preserving her family's rich heritage for future generations.

Above all else, Joy loved Jesus with all her heart and burned to share the gospel. Her faith was the guiding light of her life, and her compassion and kindness touched everyone she met.

Her family was her greatest blessing. She is survived by her husband, Ernesto Vasquez; sons Carlos Vasquez and wife Carolina of Spain, and John Paul Vasquez and wife Esther of California; and her treasured grandchildren Carlitos, Andres, Jimena, Joaquin, Valentina, and Santiago, who were her pride and delight. She is also survived by her sister, Jackie Henry of Tuscola, and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Frankie Lee Hancock; her stepmother, Keva Hancock; and her beloved stepsister, Dena Ivey.

Joy was a devoted member of the Baptist church, and her passion for the past decade was the Windham Family Chapel, which she lovingly worked to restore and rebuild as a place of worship and family connection.

Joy Kay Vasquez will be remembered for her faith, warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love for others. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched as a teacher, mentor, friend, and devoted servant of Christ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Windham Family Chapel Restoration Fund or to a charity of your choice.

"Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord." - Matthew 25:23

Loyd Gifford 'L.G.' Smith, Jr.

(July 31, 1941 ~ November 2, 2025)

L.G., son of Loyd Gifford Smith, Sr. and Edna Mae Aven and buried in McBee Cemetery.

L.G. Smith passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025. A visitation will be held at Fry-Smith Funeral Home in Tuscola on Tuesday, November 4 from 5:00-7:00pm. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, November 5 at 3:00pm at McBee Cemetery.

Loyd Gifford Smith, Jr., affectionately known by all that knew him as "L.G.". was born on July 31, 1941. L.G. lived his entire life in Cedar Gap, Texas. He was the son of Loyd and Edna Mae Smith, and grew up in the iconic rock house and filling station on the Callahan Divide on U.S. Highway 83/84.

With his dad, he grew up raising cattle and running the filling station. During this time, he learned to be an excellent mechanic and welder, to run a bull dozer, and became good at anything he endeavored to do. As a teenager and young man, his '58 Chevy could out-run any other "hot rod" in South Taylor County.

A graduate of Jim Ned High School in 1959, L.G. was an athlete, playing on the first two Jim Ned football teams as a lineman, including the first Jim Ned team to win a district championship. Though he never attended college, L.G. was an avid fan of the Texas Longhorns, following and rooting for them to the end of his days.

After the death of his mother, and after his dad moved to Tuscola, L.G. continued to run Hilltop Station and to raise cattle. During modern days, when most fuel stations are self-serve, L.G. continued to pump gas for his customers and to extend credit to those who needed it. As a cattleman, L.G. knew his business, and often helped neighbors with their cattle. He was a good neighbor.

Though in outward demeanor he sometimes seemed rough and opinionated, L.G. was quick to help all those who needed help. Hilltop Station became a favorite gathering place for all of his friends. Though not openly religious, he was a believer, exhibiting kindness and gruff love to all who truly needed it.

He will be missed...

Billy Frank Graham

(April 24, 1943 ~ October 11, 2025)

Bill, son of Herschel Franklin Graham and Elsie Allien Collins, married to Glenda Gale Crenshaw.  Cremation was chosen.  Bill began school at South Taylor in Tuscola with the class of 1961 and went two years at Jim Ned after it became a consolidated school district.

 Billy Graham from Cedar Gap passed away on October 11, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his devoted wife and family.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no memorial or service. He requested to be cremated and later laid to rest beside his wife at the time of her passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his loving wife, Glenda; his daughters, Teresa Gates, Betty Anders, and Cathy Fleming; and their families.

Glenn Elvin Earnest

(January 10, 1937 ~ February 12, 2025)

Glenn, son of John Dinzel Earnest and Opal Marie Alexander, married 1st to Barbara Diane Boulter, married 2nd to Linda Lou Smith and buried in Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, Abilene, Jones County, Texas.  Glenn attended a few years at South Taylor in Tuscola.

 Glenn Elvin Earnest, 88, of Abilene, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.  A graveside service will be on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.

Glenn was born on January 10, 1937 in Abilene to Opal and John Earnest.  He graduated from high school in 1953 and joined the Air Force, where he served for 10 years.  After his discharge from the Air Force, Glenn entered the insurance business, earning his Certified Life Underwriter and a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow in 2001 at the age of 64 from the American College and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.  Glenn retired in 2014.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, his high school sweetheart and wife Barbara Earnest, brother Dinzel Earnest and daughter Candice Barr.  He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Earnest, children Darrell and Pat Earnest of Lawn; Gary and Diana Earnest of Abilene; Randy and Jeanie Earnest of Martindale, Texas; Cody Earnest of Coleman; Shay Earnest of Abilene and David and Paula Barr of Tuscola; 17 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.

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