Mary Elizabeth Joyce's Obituary
Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Neel Joyce
June 16, 1930 – July 1, 2021
Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Neel Joyce, longtime Richardson, Texas resident,
passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 91.
She will always be remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother, and
Grammy.
She was born June 16, 1930, in Timpson, Texas to Carl and Vela Neel.
Beth graduated as high school Valedictorian from Timpson High School in
1947.
She moved to Dallas to begin her life’s journey and met the love of her life, George, and they married in Dallas in 1950. Beth and George had three children: Alan, Tricia and Betsy, and settled in Richardson, TX in 1959.
Beth and her siblings (Doris, Sonny & Brother) enjoyed late night marathon
story telling sessions whenever they had the opportunity.
Beth was a cartographer for Geomap – a career she enjoyed for nearly 30
years where she formed many close friendships.
Beth was always willing to take up new challenges. She became a master
tournament bridge player (and once played with Omar Shariff!). George taught her to play golf in the early 80’s so they could fully enjoy
Brookhaven Country Club.
When George became ill, she retired to take care of him. Alan and his mom
were able to take over his dad’s company and run it successfully for many
years.
She considered it an honor and a privilege to work with the Richardson police to develop and implement the “neighborhood patrol” program.
Perhaps her favorite vacation where many of her and our fondest memories
were made - the family enjoyed a land & cruise adventure to Alaska.
Her grandsons, Thomas and Alan, were her total joy.
Despite failing health, Beth still did what she could for the family she loved, and she fought a good fight to the end. The family owes a debt of sincere gratitude to Tricia for taking on the task of caring for her mother. Tricia as her caregiver used her humor and playfulness to keep her mother smiling.
Beth was preceded in death by her mother, Vela; father, Carl; husband,
George; brothers Carl Richard and William Arthur (Sonny); and sister Doris
Wailes. Survivors: son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Marilyn Joyce; daughter, Tricia Joyce Hockaday, daughter and son-in-law, Betsy and Keith Kinney; grandsons Thomas Christopher Joyce and Alan Brinson Joyce.
Honorary pallbearers: Thomas Christopher Joyce, Alan Brinson Joyce, Jay Joyce, Keith Kinney, Bill Hutchison and Chris Hutchison.
A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 6th, 2021
Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home & Memorial Park
7405 W. Northwest Hwy
Dallas, TX 75225.
Donations in remembrance of Beth could be made to:
Yellowstone Forever
https://www.yellowstone.org
or
Grand Canyon Conservancy
https://www.grandcanyon.org
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