Joyce Poche’ Bernard, 93, of Orange passed away on her birthday Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Christus St. Mary's Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 5, 2013 at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Delphyn Meeks, pastor of St. Maurice Catholic Church in Mauriceville. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Orange. Serving as Pallbearers will be Rodger Garrison, Ashley Jackson, Kevin Mitchell, Todd Linscomb, Paul Giarratano and Jimmy Howeth, Jr.

Born November 28, 1920, Joyce was the daughter of Golden Poche' and Lula Hollier. She started life and grew up in Poche’ Bridge, a community near St. Martinsville, La. She married Paul Curley Bernard on June 6, 1940 in Breaux Bridge, La. While raising 9 children, Joyce became a contributor to the Orange Leader and other local newspapers reminiscing of her Cajun childhood and published a booklet titled ‘A Book of Remembrances’.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Betty Sharon of Baton Rouge, La. and brother Merrill Poche' of Lafayette, La. She is survived by her sons Michael Bernard and wife Juanita of Orange, David Bernard and wife Carol of Baytown, Malcolm Bernard and wife Patricia "Tricia" of Baytown, daughters Mary Beth Howeth and husband Don of Orange, Patricia "Patty" Linscomb and husband Mike of Kingwood, TX, Kathy Bernard Jackson of Englewood, CO, Margaret "Mebbie" Garrison and husband Rodger of Montgomery, TX, Susan "Susie" Giarratano and husband Frank of Orange and Jennifer Miller and husband Ron of Seabrook, 25 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that a donation be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.