Wanda Joyce Farwell, a gifted teacher, devoted mother, and passionate advocate for the arts, passed away on January 21, 2026, in Waco, Texas, at the age of 91.

Born on September 27, 1934, in Little Axe, Oklahoma, Joyce spent her early years there before her family moved to Norman, Oklahoma. She completed high school in Norman and began what would become a lifelong devotion to music at the University of Oklahoma. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degrees from OU, followed by a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in voice from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music.

While Joyce performed as a soloist across the country, her greatest and most enduring impact came through teaching. She held faculty positions at Drake University, the University of Wisconsin, Western Carolina University, Baylor University, and Rice University, where she was widely respected for her intellect, discipline, and insight. She was frequently invited to lead masterclasses and workshops and served on the faculty of the Amalfi Coast Music Festival, the American Institute of Musical Study in Austria, and the Voice Institute at the Texas Medical Center, where she presented seminars and workshops for singers and professionals alike.

Alongside her distinguished professional career, Joyce was deeply devoted to her family. She raised four children, nurturing their lives with the same care, patience, and encouragement she offered her students. Her commitment to developing talent extended far beyond the studio and classroom, shaping generations of singers and leaving a lasting imprint on all who learned from her.

Joyce is survived by her children: Doug Farwell and his wife Donna; Beth Farwell; Amy Bean and her husband Jansen; and Ellen Palmer and her husband Scott. She was a cherished grandmother to Thomas Tice, Lucas Tice, Donica Potts, Darcy Farwell, Emma Bean, Hayden Palmer, Will Bean, and Duncan Palmer, and a proud great-grandmother to Solomon and Samuel, who brought her immense joy.

She is also survived by her nephews, Mike Brown and his wife Francie; Jeff Brown and his wife Amy; and Troy Brown and his wife Tracy, who fondly remember her nurturing spirit and kind heart.

Joyce was preceded in death by her siblings, Darrell George and Kathleen Brown.

Her legacy lives on in the many lives she shaped — in students who found their voices under her guidance, in colleagues who valued her professionalism and wisdom, and in family members strengthened by her love. She will be remembered for her warmth, her dedication to excellence, and a life devoted to teaching, service, and the transformative power of music.

The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care and respect shown by the staff of Delaney at Lake Waco, Lynridge of Waco, and Accent Care Hospice.