Mrs. Loyce Laine (Dorsey) Elam Radford

Loyce Laine (Dorsey) Elam Radford, 79, passed away peacefully with family by her side on September 21, 2025 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. She was born on August 26, 1946, in Kilgore, Texas, to Loy E Dorsey Jr. and Joyce Elaine (Busby) Dorsey. Loyce spent much of her childhood at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, before returning to Texas, where she graduated from Henderson High School in 1965. She went on to earn her teaching degree from the University of North Texas in Denton in 1969 and later received her Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. Her career was dedicated to education and service. Loyce began as the beloved librarian at Henderson Middle School, where she inspired countless students with her love for books and learning. After retiring from the library, she continued her calling as a teacher, working with GED students at prisons in Henderson and Overton, Texas. She was deeply proud of the lives she touched there and the hope she helped restore through education. In 1995, Loyce married Mike Radford, and together they shared a life of faith, family, and community. Together, they combined their families, her two sons, Michael Elam and M. Keith Watson and his two daughters, Shelly Aslakson and Lea Radford. Loyce was a member of the Bar None Cowboy Church and Henderson Civic Theatre where she was in many plays. Loyce was known for her sharp wit and her keen eye for grammar—something her friends and family often found both endearing and entertaining. Family was the center of Loyce’s life, and her grandson Austin was her world. She especially cherished her role as “Nana” to Austin, Oliver, Nixie and Stormy, and “Lulu” to Rebecca, Megan, Emily, Asher, and Harper. Loyce will be remembered as a devoted educator, a woman of strong faith, and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Loyce was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Radford; Parents, Loy E Dorsey Jr and Joyce Elaine (Busby) Dorsey. Survivors include her sons, Michael Elam and wife Nicola of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and M. Keith Watson; Daughters, Shelly Aslakson and Lea Radford of Washington State; Grandchildren, Austin Elam, Michell Bumgarner and spouse Kyle Kroth, Megan Watson Green and husband Brady, Rebecca Harrison and husband Devin; Great- Grandchildren, Stormy, Nixie, Oliver, Emily, Asher, and Harper; Brother, Loy Dorsey and wife Leann of Henderson, Texas; and Sister, Donna J Dorsey of Henderson, Texas. Memorial graveside services for Mrs. Radford will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Rusk County Memorial Gardens. Burial will follow under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mrs. Loyce Laine (Dorsey) Elam Radford

August 26, 1946 - September 21, 2025