Joyce McElyea: July 23, 1935-Feb. 2, 2025

Joyce Joann McElyea, 89, of Kerrville, Texas, went to be with her Lord on February 2, 2025. She was born on July 23, 1935, in Leola, South Dakota, to Raymond and Viola Sumption.

Joyce spent the last nine years of her life residing at River Point of Kerrville, though her heart remained at her home in Enchanted Oaks of Spring, Texas, where she lived from 1968 to 2014. A dedicated and hardworking woman, who assisted her parents during her youth with managing the home farm, to include activities such as working livestock, planting and harvesting grain for feed, milking cows twice a day, collecting eggs and many other family farm related tasks, all while attending and graduating from the Barnard South Dakota grade school system, and helping her mom manage (6) younger siblings. She left the farm in June 1953 to join Delta Airlines, where she attended trade school in Kansas to become a ticket agent, and then was assigned to Delta’s work force at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Later in life, Joyce managed a Merle Norman branch store in Spring, Texas for several years, and then managed inside operations at North Freeway Bank in Houston, Texas. As her home-making duties subsided, she pursued several higher education courses at North Harris County Junior College, always valuing knowledge and personal growth.

Joyce was an active and engaged member of her community. She found joy in volunteering at Northwest Medical Hospital and was a proud member of the Blue Bonnet Winnebago Travel Club. Her faith was central to her life, as seen in her devotion to Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), where she also served as a teacher. She loved Sunday school, traveling with Del, square dancing, sewing, basketball and walking, always embracing life with energy and grace. She enjoyed camping with family and friends, both primitive in tents and later in life RV campers and motorhomes. Joyce and Del traveled extensively across the United States, seeing all the wonderful sights this great country has within its borders. They visited every state (many multiple times), its bordering countries, and a significant number of countries throughout Europe, for which they have picture albums to prove it.

In March of 1956, Joyce married the love of her life, Delbert Wayne McElyea, in Chicago, Illinois. They shared a beautiful 58-year journey together until his passing on March 10, 2014.

Joyce is survived by (2) sisters: Mary Widmer (husband Bob), Margaret Wyland (husband Michael), (3) brothers: George Sumption (wife Donna), John Sumption (wife Margaret), Leonard Sumption (wife Leslie), (1) sister- in-law: Helen Sumption, (3) loving children: Debbie Minter (husband Kenny) of Kerrville, Texas; Kevin McElyea (wife Sybil) of Schulenburg, Texas; and Greg McElyea (wife Lois) of Denton, Texas, (10) grandchildren: Michelle Cheatham (husband Brian), Tara Porfirio, Lauren McElyea, Justin Minter, Jeremy McElyea, Ryan Minter, Chase McElyea, Julia Young (husband Derrick), Brianna McElyea, Joshua McElyea, and (10) great grandchildren: Austin Cheatham, Brayden Cheatham, Madeline Porfirio, Zaiden McElyea, Annabelle McElyea, Colten Minter, Peyton Cheatham, Travis Minter, Magnolia Minter, and Easton Minter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Viola Sumption; her brother, Winston Sumption (wife Helen); her beloved husband, Delbert McElyea; her son, Steven McElyea; and her first great grandchild, Dysen Meador.

Joyce will be remembered for her kindness, faith, and unwavering love for her Family, Spring Baptist Church and the Communities she lived in. Her legacy of warmth, wisdom, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held in honor of Joyce McElyea on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Spring Baptist Church. A one-hour visitation period begins at 10AM, with the service to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charity of your choice or one of the following charities that Joyce has supported for years (St Jude Children’s Hospital and Wounded Warriors). Joyce’s family would greatly appreciate your attendance.