Obituary

Madison Joyce Wascom

June 2, 1928 – April 13, 2026

Madison Joyce Wascom, age 97, passed away on April 13, 2026, at Forest Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Covington, LA. Joyce was born on June 2, 1928, in Laurel, MS to the late William Madison and Lena Lotus Musgrove. Her family moved to the Thomas/State Line area where she was a member of Crains Creek Baptist Church and baptized in Crains Creek. Joyce attended Thomas High School where she was a star basketball player and valedictorian of her graduating class. Upon graduation, she attended Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA. Joyce then moved to Bogalusa and went to work at the Cresote Plant. She continued her career path working for the Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce, Sears & Roebuck, Southern Timber and retired after many years of service from Gaylord Container Corporation.

When Joyce moved to Bogalusa, she became a long time, dedicated and active member of Superior Avenue Baptist Church and the Lydia Sunday School Class. She loved and adored her church and her family. Traveling with dear friends was the highlight of her life, as well as precious time spent with friends and family, playing cards, dominos, bingo, and celebrating special occasions. 

Joyce is survived by four children: Gary (Nelda) Wascom, Rodney (Cheryl) Wascom, Kim Wascom McCullough and LaDonna Wascom (Greg) Rawls; a host of grandchildren: Donald “Rip” Miller (Nancy), Gloria Miller Neames, Michelle Miller Hathaway, Chad (Joanna) Wascom, Shane (Jennifer) Wascom, Jerod (Ashley) Wascom, Brooke (Jason) Cummings,  Jason Sumrall, Derek (Melissa) Sumrall, Justin McCullough, Sean McCullough, Lance (Kalley) McCullough, Ashlyn (Ryan) Greene, Alvin Edgens, Patrick Cline and Kathy Simmons; great-grandchildren: Carter Wascom, Tyler Wascom, Kaleb Wascom, Isaac Wascom, Hali Wascom, Micah Wascom, Claire Wascom, Ava Cummings, Bella Cummings, Cannon Cummings, Hanna Sumrall, McKenzi Guttuso, Clementine McCullough, Ethan Guttuso, Cambrie Cummings, Carli Wascom, Erica Miller Wallace, Mandi Miller Rhodes, Clifford Neames, III, Shane Miller, Jesse Hathaway and Kaitlin Lemings; as well as numerous great-great grandchildren and very special nieces and nephews. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Abner Carter (A.C.) Wascom; her parents, William Madison and Lena Lotus Musgrove; three sisters, Mary (Joe) Martino, Versia (Blevely) Mathis, Georgia (Bob) Rowell; two brothers, Woodrow (Gertrude) and Curtis Musgrove;  two daughters, Josie Miller and Betty Cline; two great grandchildren, twins Trevor and Cameron Sumrall; and son-in-law, Richard McCullough. 

Visitation and funeral will be held at Superior Avenue Baptist Church, 1301 N. Columbia Street, Bogalusa, LA on Sunday, April 19, with the Reverend Clay Norwood officiating. Visitation is 1:00 – 3:00 PM, with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 PM. Interment will be in Ponemah Cemetery. 

Pallbearers are grandsons Chad Wascom, Shane Wascom, Jerod Wascom, Derek Sumrall, Justin McCullough and Lance McCullough. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons Donald ‘Rip” Miller, Jason Sumrall, Sean McCullough, Jason Cummings and Ryan Greene. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Superior Avenue Baptist Church Building Fund.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the entire staff of both Forest Manor Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Covington, LA and St. Catherine’s Hospice, for their dedication and loving care provided to Ms. Joyce.