On June 25th, 1955, Joyce married Bill Tolar, a union that lasted 64 years.

A graduate of Baskin High School, she went on to earn a degree in education which started a long and distinguished career in education. She also earned her master’s degree in education, all while holding down a full-time teaching position and raising four sons.

Joyce began her career in Franklin Parish at Central High School in August 1970, and retired from Crowville High School in May 1998. She returned from September 2000 to May 2002 to teach in Franklin Parish, and also taught at Delhi Charter School from August 2002 to May 2004 and ending a distinguished career at Family Community Christian School from January 2009 to May 2010.

During her 36-year teaching career, Joyce taught many a child how to read.

Joyce is survived by her sons, Scott Tolar of Kinston, N.C., David Tolar and wife, Lynda, of Covington, Paul Tolar of Antioch, Ill., and Patrick Tolar of Estes Park, Colo.

She is grandmother to Brook, Britney, Logan, Will, Amanda, Kris, Michelle and Nick and greatgrandmother to Briley, Elizabeth, and Merideth.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, William “Bill” Tolar; parents Lela and Hilman Rogers; sister Floy Dunham; grandson, Will Tolar; and daughter-in-law, Marianne Tolar.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday July 2, 2025, at Brown-Holley Funeral Home in Rayville. Visitation was from noon to 2 p.m. Joyce joined Bill at Masonic Cemetery in Rayville following the service.

Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes. com.