Joyce Marie Taggart

Joyce Marie Taggart, age 93 of Robinson, Tx, passed away on July 1, 2026 with her children Valerie Marie and Gregory Benson by her side.

Visitation is scheduled for 12:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at St. Jerome Catholic Church with rosary to be recited at 12:30 P.M. Mass Of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 P.M. with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Joyce was born to the parents of Francis and Walter Vanzura on March 1, 1933 in their home in West, Tx. Joyce had three brothers; Bill, Larry and Walter Vanzura.

She graduated from school in West, Tx where the superintendent was also her father’s cousin. Joyce’s family owned a small bee company owned and operated by her father and brothers in West.

Upon graduating from high school where she was the editor for the school journal and playing basketball, summers that followed were spent swimming and skating at the Palladium in West.

One weekend Joyce and her best friend, Margie Grim, met their husbands to be at the Palladium. These men were officers in the Air Force stationed at James Connely Air Force Base. One day when the men were returning to the base, Margie and Joyce had a different plan. They got in their car and proceeded to flag down the bus and the rest is history.

Joyce and Benson were joined in marriage on November 11, 1950 in St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption in West with the reception at the home of Joyce’s parents, Francis and Walter Vanzura.

Joyce and Benson travelled to many cities and states including New Orleans, LaFayette and Kansas City, Mo.

They were blessed with two beautiful children, Valerie Marie and Gregory Benson.

Joyce graduated from 4-C business college in Waco where she went on to work for the Waco Veterans Hospital and retired after 30 years of service. She later went on to volunteer at the V.A. for veterans that were blind.

She was an officer for retired employees of the government, N.A.R.F., and was also a proud member of The Czech Heritage Society in West where she was an officer.

Joyce was highly involved in her church community at St. Mary’s in Waco and sang in the choir as well as being a member of the Daughters of Charity as well as volunteering for many functions within her church community.

Her passion was selling Avon to her neighbors and friends. For over 50 years she was a member of the original Avon Ladies from the start. She won many Alby’s trophies and medals as well as being a long-standing member of The Presidents Club, the highest honor to be achieved. She brought much joy to the lives of the people she touched. Joyce will be truly missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Marie; son, Gregory Benson and wife, Cindy Taggart; Ashley, Brett and Landri Wheeler; grandchildren, Ashley, Lorenzo, Michelle; great-grandchildren, Landri, Mia, Giovanni, and Matteo.