Helen Joyce (Stolte) McCoy
On Oct. 24, 2020, Helen Joyce (Stolte) McCoy, loving sister and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away at the age of 80.
Services will be held on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home at 10 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Pleasant Retreat Cemetery in Thorndale. There will also be a visitation on a Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Joyce was born on Aug. 26, 1940, in Milam County to Walter and Zula (Henson) Stolte. She married James Herschel McCoy on Oct. 6, 1956, in Taylor. Five children were born to this union as well as ten grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Joyce and Herschel recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.
Joyce lived in Thorndale most of her life, attending Thorndale schools, and later dedicating her work life to the school, holding numerous titles within the district. She was probably most well-known for driving a school bus, shuttling kids to and from school each day.
Her grandchildren loved playing on the bus and would often hitch a ride after school when they were bored. Of all the jobs she held in her lifetime, she was most proud of being a mom, granny and great-granny. She loved her family unconditionally and never neglected to call and check on each and every one of them regularly. Throughout the years she kept herself busy supporting the activities in which her kids and grandkids participated. From the births of her grandchildren to sporting events, beauty pageants, rodeos and parades, she rarely missed a moment.
Anyone who knew her knew that she was very social and never met a stranger. She enjoyed spending time with her entire family most of all, and everyone looked forward to her cooking at family gatherings. Joyce has been described as kind, giving, selfless, fiercely protective, caring, sweet, tough as nails, compassionate and beautiful inside and out. She was loved by so many and will truly be missed.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Zula Stolte; son, Michael Lynn McCoy; and great-granddaughter, Camry Abegglen.
She is survived by her husband, Herschel McCoy of Thorndale; son, Tommy McCoy and wife Denise of Thorndale; son, James McCoy and wife Vanissa of Thorndale; son, Kevin McCoy and wife Karen of Thorndale; daughter, Kimberly Jordan and husband Bill of Rockdale; and daughter-in-law, Jackie McCoy.
She is also survived by her sisters, Barbara Smith (h. Red) and Judy Jordan (h. Henry, dec.), both of Thorndale; grandchildren, Erin Schmidt (h. Brad), Casey Abegglen, Kyle McCoy, Lyndsi Sandoval (h. RJ), Morgan Nadeau (h. Doug), Kayla Terry (h. Barrett), Christopher Johnson (w. Chelsea), Kole McCoy, Rowdy McCoy, and Garrett Jordan; and great-grandchildren, Ben and Ellie Schmidt, Ashlyn and Avery Abegglen, Kannon McCoy, Reese and Raven Sandoval, Lawson and Tripp Terry, Blake and Gage Johnson, and Kaydence Epperson; and a huge extended family with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Retreat United Methodist Church, PO Box 207, Thorndale, TX 76577.
Pallbearers will be Kyle McCoy, Kole McCoy Rowdy McCoy, Chris Johnson, Garrett Jordan, and Ben Schmidt; Honorary Pallbearers Craig & Seth Jordan.