Ellie Joyce Brooks Wedgeworth, 86, of Carthage, TX, passed away on Sunday morning, May 22, 2016, at her home near Carthage surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Dec. 19, 1929, in the Brooks Community of Panola County to the late Jesse Fletcher and Ellie Pemelia Woods Brooks. Mrs. Wedgeworth attended school at Brooks, later transferring to Carthage High School, where she graduated with the class of 1947. On Feb. 1, 1951, she married Walter Aubrey Wedgeworth and in Feb. of this year, they celebrated 65 years of marriage. To this marriage three children were born, Linda, W.A., Jr., and Jenice. Joyce was a devoted wife, homemaker, and mother, having received the Homemaker of the Year award. She was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church where she played the piano and organ for over 50 years. She loved cross-stitching quilts for each grand and great-grandchild. Joyce enjoyed traveling with Aubrey across the South singing gospel convention music. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Forrest and Lillian Brooks and Clarence and Margie Brooks; brothers-in-law, John Allen Young, Tracy and Jessie Jo Wedgeworth, and H.A. "Bubba" Clinton.

Survivors include her husband, Walter Aubrey Wedgeworth; daughters, Linda Hight and husband Jerry and Jenice Fitts and husband H.H. "Skip"; son, W.A. Wedgeworth, Jr. and wife Robbie all of Carthage; granddaughter, Alysha Cockerham and husband Shane of Carthage; grandsons, Jeremy Hight and wife Stevie Gail of Larue, Jesse Hight and wife Anabella of San Angelo, John Hight and wife Michelle of Carthage, Shannon Davis and wife Crystal of Tatum, and Trevor Wedgeworth, David Fitts, and Matthew Fitts all of Carthage; great-grandchildren, Jesse and Lorenzo Hight, Haley and Jubal Hight, Brylee Davis, Cohen, Harper, and Ellie Brooks Cockerham, Caleb Wedgeworth, and number 10, a baby girl blessing our lives in October; sister, Margarette Young; sister-in-law, Juanita Clinton; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James and Dorothy Wedgeworth, Joe Dan and Mary Wedgeworth, and Grady and Jane Wedgeworth; and numerous nieces and nephews. Joyce is also survived by scores of friends across the south.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, May 23, 2016, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church with Dr. Allen Tilley and Bro. Freddy Mason officiating. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery with Dr. Allen Tilley and Bro. Matt Comer officiating.

Pallbearers are Jeremy Hight, Jesse Hight, John Hight, Shannon Davis, Trevor Wedgeworth, Matt Fitts, David Fitts, and Shane Cockerham.

Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, c/o Aubrey Wedgeworth, 3341 SH 315, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.