Joyce Nell Dittmar

Joyce Nell Dittmar, 91, passed away June 23, 2024, in Rockport, Texas.

Joyce was born January 17, 1933, to Clyde Johnston and Cleo May Townsend in Rockport, Texas. She spent part of her childhood on St. Joe Island and loved to tell stories of the days riding horses on the beach and rolling cigarettes for the cowboys. She graduated from Rockport High School in 1951.

Joyce married John Albert Ratliff and raised four beautiful children while living in Rockport, San Antonio, and Dallas, Texas. During this time, she worked as a seamstress for a dress shop and enjoyed sewing all her life. After the death of John Albert, Joyce moved back to Rockport and began her extensive career in banking. Joyce married John “Jack” Andrew Dittmar on April 7, 1974, in Rockport, Texas. Joyce and Jack lived in Cypress and Austin then moved back to Rockport in 1985. She and Jack were married for 44 years and loved their life at the beach. In retirement, Joyce taught computer classes at the college and never stopped learning and growing. She enjoyed listening to Marty Robbins and John Denver, feeding her hummingbirds, gardening, canning and baking. Joyce loved her children and grandchildren to no end and cared for them greatly.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, John Albert Ratliff and her second husband, John Dittmar; sister, Carol Prophet; daughters, Sheryl Salinas and Belinda Christen; and granddaughter, Megan Ratliff.

Joyce is survived by her sons: John Fredrick Ratliff, wife Monica and Garvon Ratliff, wife Julia; son in law; Mitch Christen, grandchildren: John Jr Ratliff, Taylor Ratliff, Samatha Ratliff, and Gary Evans, Jed Christen (wife, Jamin), and Amanda Willingham (husband, Zach), Thomas Ratliff, and William Ratliff; great-grandchildren: Kadence, Kennedy, Rex and Tyler Willingham, and Ariott Evans, Violet Christen; and siblings: younger brother, Clyde Jerrel Townsend and older sister, Lois Mae Gurley.

Joyce will be buried beside her late husband, Jack, in the Rockport Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: https://usslexington.com/donate-to-lex/