JOYCE CHUNN Joyce Annette Brunson Chunn, of Port Aransas, died Wednesday, May 5, 2010. She was 75.

Chunn was born Aug. 26, 1935, in New Orleans, La., to Daniel and Sadie Frost Brunson.

She grew up in the small southern town of Bay Minette, Ala., and graduated from Baldwin County High School in 1953.

The summer after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Charlie Chunn, in Lucedale, Miss., and they headed to El Paso, where they lived and worked for a year.

The Chunns then returned to Alabama, where he was employed at Brookley Air Force Base, in Mobile. There, Joyce and Charlie had two daughters, and Charlie’s job involved extensive traveling. The girls were not in school yet, so the family traveled together. They crossed the country many times in their travels, living for short periods of time in California, Utah, Colorada, Pennslyvania, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, New York and Maine. In these travels, they had many memorable experiences and adventures.

The closing of Brookley changed their lives and led them to San Antonio. This began a new chapter of their lives.

Chunn flourished in Texas. Once her youngest daughter, Patti, started first grade, her husband insisted that she go to college. This was first met with opposition, but he did prevail, and she began classes at San Antonio College. This is how her teaching career began.

She began teaching at St. Mary Magdalene’s Catholic School when teachers were not required to be degreed. She had a passion for teaching, and badly wanted to obtain her degree. She continued taking classes, teaching and taking care of her family.

Chunn graduated from Incarnate Word University in San Antonio in 1974. Her graduation was a highlight in her life.

She was an elementary school teacher who taught with zeal. She loved her students, and if any were in need of help, she was there for them. She even bought and delivered groceries for the needy ones.

The Chunns retired and in 1987 moved to Port Aransas. Having adventurous spirits, they bought a sailboat, which became their living quarters for a year.

After a boating accident in the ship channel, where she was washed out of a swamped pleasure boat and rescued by the ferry, they decided it was time to move to dry land.

In 1998, they made the Aransas Princess Condominiums their home. The grandkids called it “grandma’s castle”.

Chunn became a vital part of the community in Port Aransas. She played tennis, volunteered at the schools, visited the elderly and helped with the Meals on Wheels program.

She loved playing tennis and loved the tennis group. Port Aransas truly complemented her personality. She was friendly and outgoing, rarely meeting a stranger. She enjoyed the events and the lifestyle of the island. Her memorial was held at the Aransas Princess due to her love of this home.

Chunn enjoyed being a grandmother. She impacted all their lives and set the example of not only strong moral values, but also strong opinions. She was a true “southern lady.” She will be missed by all of us.