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 o n F r i d a y, Oct. 30, 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 Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 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 10 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 wellknown 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; 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.

Pallbearers will be Kyle McCoy, Kole McCoy Rowdy McCoy, Chris Johnson, Garrett Jordan and Ben Schmidt.

Honorary pallbearers are Craig and Seth Jordan.

Memorial donations may be made to Pleasant Retreat United Methodist Church, PO Box 207, Thorndale, TX 76577.

Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer 1417, Rockdale, TX 76567, 512-446-5454.