Joyce Matas

Joyce Matas

May 4, 1929 – July 15, 2021

Born Joyce Bernadine Marie Sroka, 92; was the daughter of Aloysius and Inez (Graham) Sroka on May 4, 1929. She married Joseph E. Matas Jr. on May 3, 1952 at St. Stephen Catholic Church; by the late Monsignor George Dzuryo. Her husband passed away February 3, 1984.

To this union was born the following children; Susan M. (R. Mike) Brown of The Woodlands, TX; Katherine L. Segers of Lancaster SC; Joseph A. Matas lll of Houston, TX; Deborah A. Barichello of Streator IL; and Gail J. (Bill) Wilbourn of Rockdale IL. She is survived by 13 grandchildren; Aaron (Rachel) Matas TX, Amy (Eric) Porter IL, Kimberly (Scott) Weddle TX, Fawn Segers NC, Jennifer (Todd) Thornburg IL, Gary J. (Amy Price) Davies IL, Chad (Sarah) Davies IL, Derek (Julie) Barichello IL, Bret (Laura Lopez) Barichello IL, Olivia (Felix) Quinteros TX, Joseph Wilbourn CA, Jon Wilbourn Fl, and Tyler Wilbourn WI. 14 great grandchildren; Skylar, Addison, and Kennedi Matas; Tiffany (Jeff) Good; Kaylee Elko; Savanah Joyce Davies; Kort, Mackenna, Hadley, and Hunter Davies; Aria Barichello; Lenox and Aria Wilbourn. 19 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. One great-great grandchild Ava. A sister Janice (Jerome) McMullen, brother Richard Sroka and brother in-law Robert Redd of Streator, IL. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sisters; Ruth Almy, Donna Dettlehauser, Sherri Redd, and brothers Robert and Thomas Sroka.

Her 1st taste of Texas was when she went to Galveston to train workers at the New Lipton Tea plant. She made The Woodlands her home for the last 36 years, moving after the death of her husband. She would return to Streator every year to visit her family.

Along the way she ran, with her husband, Matas’ Café. She also worked at The Oakley Inn, Lipton Tea, Owen’s and Thatcher’s Glass, Tuscarora Plastics, Top Save, and Dorothy’s Flowers. The majority of her work took place as a florist and designer. She retired at 70 as a Pre-K teacher.

She was known as Mom, Mama, Grammy, Grandma Bingo, and Grandma Joyce. She was of the Catholic faith. She was a fantastic artist in drawing, oils, and acrylics; a fabulous cook; and an exceptional seamstress. She loved playing bingo and going to the gambling boat. One of her accomplishments was learning how to fly a box airplane at age 16. She was funny, straightforward, and the glue to our family.

She passed away peacefully after a short illness with family at her side. There will be no visitation and cremation rights are being handled by Forest Park- The Woodlands funeral home. A memorial mass will be held at a later time with burial next to her husband in St. Stephens Cemetery.

A special thank you to her caregivers; Sue Brown, Olivia Quinteros, and Skylar Matas.