Joyce C. Dicks, age 71, of Plano died on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008 after a courageous battle against cancer, at the Hospice House in Ottumwa.

She was born the daughter of Max A. and Laura Jean (Oehler) Martin on March 21, 1936 in Moravia.

She graduated Valedict­orian of her class at Moravia Community School and would later be Valedictorian of her graduating class at Ohlone College in Fremont, Calif., when she received her AA degree. Later Joyce would receive her bachelors and masters degrees in history from Cal State in Hayward, Calif.

On May 1, 1955, Joyce was united in marriage to Donald Dicks in Iconium. She was an educator in California for many years and would become the program director of the Eastside San Jose Adult Education. She retired and moved back to Plano and would work for four years at the Prairie Trails Museum in Corydon before returning to teaching at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville. Joyce was a voracious reader and passed her love of books and reading on to her daughters, grandchildren and students. Throughout her life, she was a great student of history and current events. She loved being able to share her knowledge of both to her many students. Joyce considered life an adventure. One of the great joys of her life was being able to travel to other parts of the world, including West Africa, Egypt and Europe. She will be remembered for her courageous spirit, intelligence, kindness and, above all, her unconditional love for her family. Her grandchildren remember her always having a quarter or a piece of candy in her purse. She also enjoyed her work with the Appanoose County Democratic Committee.

She was preceded in death by: her parents and a brother, Larry Martin on Dec. 13, 2003.

Joyce is survived by: her husband, Donald Dicks of Plano; daughters, Dawn Michelle Moore and her husband, Robin, of Eddy­ville and Stephanie Hall and her husband, Kurt of Newark, Calif.; grandchildren, Vesta Blaire Moore, Jatin Truxton Moore and Daniel Donald Wayne Hall; brother, Terry Mark Martin of Arispe and a sister, Judy Hawk of Moravia.

A Celebration of her Life will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with Rev. David Welch officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Hillcrest Cemetery near Moravia.

No visitation is planned and memorials can be made to the Hospice House in Ottumwa and can be left at the funeral home.