Joyce Winkler

Joyce Adele McCracken Winkler, 97, of Kingsville, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. She was born on December 1, 1925, to William Foss and Mary Jane McCracken of Kingsville, Texas. She lived most of her life in Kingsville, attending H.M. King High School and Texas A&I University. Along with her parents and brother, Foss Robert “Buddy” McCracken, she converted to Catholicism at the age of eighteen, joined St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church in Kingsville, and remained a devout Catholic her entire life. Her children teased that she would say Mass in the living room if the Pope would let her!

On a blind date in 1945, Joyce met a handsome US Marine Corps Captain and flight instructor, Alexander John “Wink” Winkler, while he was stationed at NAS Kingsville. Joyce and Wink married on February 14, 1946, and were blessed with six children, three girls and three boys. They had been married for fifty- seven years at the time of his passing in 2002.

Joyce enjoyed raising her family and volunteering in their activities, including leading Bluebird and Boy Scout troops. She was an active member of the Women’s Club of Kingsville, St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church Altar Society, and the St. Gertrude’s School Parent Teacher Organization. She championed fundraising efforts that led to the present-day St. Gertrude’s church and school buildings. A passionate advocate for the unborn, Joyce also served as a spokesperson for the Texas Right to Life organization within the Diocese of Corpus Christi. She spoke at many schools and organizations to promote every human being’s right to life.

Joyce also enjoyed reading, fishing, crossword puzzles, and card games. She would spend hours playing Go Fish, Battle, and Memory with her grandchildren and some of their best moments were spent curled up beside her while she played Solitaire and drank coffee. She also loved to play golf, and although she admitted to not being the best player, she was very excited to make a hole in one from 155 yards out during a round with her husband and sons. The news even made the local paper!

Later in life, Joyce enjoyed serving as a Docent at the Connor Museum at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and working at McCracken Electrical Services where she was part owner. She always had the “gift of gab” and a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes. She was the first to give a compliment, share a smile, or sing a tune. She will lovingly be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and spunk.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband, Alexander John “Wink” Winkler, daughter Theresa Jane Bryant, brother Foss Robert “Buddy” McCracken and wife Rebecca, and parents William Foss and Mary Jane McCracken. She is survived by her children, Mary Helen Miller, Alexis (Rick) Ley, Alexander John (Lorre) Winkler Jr., Gregory (Shelley) Winkler, and Michael (Kimberly) Winkler, her son-in-law William Bryant; her nine grandchildren, Parrish Jefferson, Melissa (Todd) Rotholz, Rebecca (David) Huber, Daniel (Colleen) Ley, Jessica Ley, Kristin Winkler, Kelly Winkler, Sandra (Arya) Winkler, and Lindsay (Jason) Monroe; and eleven great-grandchildren, Catherine Claire (Cameron) Moore, Carson Rotholz, Reade Rotholz, Joseph Thomas Huber, Rylee Huber, Witton ley, Brynnon Ley, Brookelon Ley, Morgan Winkhari, Mara Winkhari, and Rhys Monroe.

A Rosary will be held July 28th, 2023, at 10:00 am at Turcotte-piper Mortuary with Internment to follow at Resthaven cemetery.