• Santa Anna’s original leg — the one he lost in 1838 — has a dramatic history worthy of its own biography. The leg was initially buried at the general’s estate in Veracruz, but Santa Anna had it disinterred four years later and given a parade with a military escort to Mexico City. There, it was given an elaborate funeral with public prayers, a cannon salute and an epic poem written in its honor. In 1844, a rebellious mob dug the limb from its not-quite-final resting place and paraded it through the streets. According to a contemporary account, the crowd “with savage ferocity exhumed Santa Anna’s leg, playing games with it and making it an object of ridicule.” The leg, which must have been in a bad way by then, was flung on a garbage pile, where it either was or wasn’t, depending on whom you believe, quietly rescued by one of his officers and discreetly given a third burial.

Joyce’s roots grew deep in the Van community and she had been a great asset in years past. She was a member of and served on numerous committees and organizations: president of the PTA, Fine Arts Club, Garden Club, Tyler A & M Club, Van Coffee Club, Tyler Women’s Forum, UMW and Co-owner & operator of Bayne’s Department Store located in downtown Van in the W. H. Cook building for 20 years.

Although she was a member of many groups and organization it was her family and friends that brought her the most joy. She was a wonderful cook and especially enjoyed entertaining and spending time with those she loved.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Neal Staton,: her parents, W.H. and Twillie Cook; her brothers, Eldo Cook, Curry Cook, Lloyd Cook, and Bayne Cook; sister, Nell Cook Fife.

She is survived by her children, Bob and Judi Staton, and Ann and Dean Stone; her sisters, Euline Cook Sherbert and Shirley Cook Lundgren, and sister-in-law, Chris Cook. She has 6 grandchildren, Jennifer Cole, Courtenay Bridges, Windie Staton, Heidi Dudley, Robert Staton and Kelsey Cook Geeding; and 8 great-grandchildren, Christian Cole, Peyton Cole, Samuel Staton Bridges, Claire Bridges, Staton Dudley, Ellie Staton, Micah Geeding and Walter Geeding.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 7, at 11 am at Fairway Garden of Memories Cemetery (the Cook lease) in Van with Rev. Mark McClanahan and Rev. Jack Cox officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Van United Methodist Church, P O Box 1919, Van, Texas 75790 and Heart to Heart Hospice, 7925 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 1140, Tyler, Texas 75703 in memory of Joyce Cook Staton.