Joyce “Joy” Elaine Pels, 61, of Collinsville, Texas, was called to her eternal home on Tuesday, February 19, 2025, after a struggle with a lengthy illness.
Joy was born on June 17, 1963 in Greenville, Texas to David and Joyce (McSparren) Hood Jr. She was a graduate of Callisburg High School and Cooke County College where she obtained her degree in Nursing. She worked in nursing for over 35 years in Pilot Point, Collinsville and for Hilltop Haven in Gunter. Joy married Mark Pels on January 30, 1988 in Cooke County. Together they built a life and raised four children. She enjoyed fishing, and was very good at it, dancing, playing cards and spending time with her family. She loved playing with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Mark Pels of Collinsville; son, Brian Pels and wife, Crystal of Gainesville; son, Allen Pels of Collinsville; daughter, Katherine Pels Jones of Collinsville; daughter, Polly Pels Achorn and husband, Travis of Whitesboro; grandchildren, Miranda, Hagen, Barret, Marley, Brooke, Paisley Elaine, and Faith, sisters, Eula West-Buchanan and husband, Buck; Teresa Hood; Billie “Pebbles” Hood, and Candy Chamberlain, mother-in-law, Marianne Pels; brothers-in-law, Randy Pels, and Kenneth Pels; sisters-in-law, Wanda Pels Cargile, Barbara Pels McFarlane, and Brenda Pels; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents, David and Joyce Hood and brother, David F. Hood III, aunts and uncles, Nancy Hood Parker, Jim Hood, Sarah Hood Embry, Joe Hood Sr., Clifford McSparren, and Ivan McSparren, niece, baby Sara and her father-in-law, Jerry Pels.
Funeral services honoring Joy will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Meador Funeral Home of Whitesboro, officiated by Rev. Scott Farr. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Collinsville. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday one hour prior to the service time at the funeral home.
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
You will be missed Joyce 😢 you have no more pain.Rest in Peace
So sorry for your loss
Prayers
So sorry for your loss
Prayers for you and all your family
To the family and loved ones of Joyce “Joy” Pels,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved Joy, a cherished friend and family member for over 40 wonderful years. She and my mother, Debbie Baggett, met in a lively and memorable place back in 1984, and their friendship blossomed into something extraordinary. Together, they navigated life’s highs and lows, working side by side as nurses for many years. Their bond was one of the best friendships I have ever seen.
Joy was not only a close family friend but also a radiant and loving presence in our lives. Her unwavering faith and kindness touched us all, leaving an indelible mark on everyone she met. Our families grew together as friends, and Joy’s loving husband Mark, and her children Allen and Kathy Pels, have always been like family to us.
As we grieve, we extend our deepest condolences to their extended family during this time of sorrow. Let us find comfort in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. In John 11:25-26, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” May Joy’s memory continue to inspire us, and may we find peace knowing she is in the loving arms of our Savior.
Below is a cherished photo of Joy and my mother, Debbie Baggett, standing together, capturing a moment of their beautiful friendship:
With deepest sympathy and Christian love,
Mr. and Mrs. Dale and Debbie Baggett and their children and grandchildren
Bryan J. Marlin
We are so sorry to hear of her passing we will be praying for the rest of the family we love y’all
I love you, my sweet sister, you will be missed. I’m so sorry I can’t be there. I’m praying for everyone.
I went to school with Joyce she was a great friend
I love you Aunt Joy I will miss you ❤️
My prayers and condolences are with the family. I’m so very sorry.
My heart is filled with sorrow hearing of Joyce’s passing. My sincere condolences go out to you Mark and your family during this painful time.
Rest in peace Aunt Joy. I love you ❤️ You will be missed by many.
So sorry for y’all’s loss. Joyce was an excellent Nurse. I worked with her in a nursing home. Very nice and sweet Nurse I will a little bit of good news.
Love and prayers go out to the family. We were so sad to hear of Joy’s passing. Beloved cousin. Rest in Peace.
So sorry for your family’s loss
I worked with Joyce many years at Hilltop Haven. Loved her like a sister. Many great memories!!!
My cousin had one of the biggest giving hearts of any person I know. I went to see her a few months before she passed…because she called me and TOLD me to come see her. I got in my car and brought her some honey. I had no idea how bad off she was until I walked in the house. At that time, she was on oxygen, hospice was coming out 5 days a week, and yes, she was still smoking. As bad as she felt, she still got up and showed me her bathtub that had a door on it so she could get in and out easier, and she gave me a jar of potatoes that she had canned. I have never bought potatoes in a jar or a can…but you know what? Those were some dang good taters. That’s the kind of person she was. Even when she was sick, she gave me something to eat. I’m glad she called me and TOLD me to come see her. I learned a few things from her that day: 1. don’t just pray for people to come see you when you’re sick…call them and tell them to come see you (get that ball rolling) 2. Canned potatoes aren’t gross 3. Give people good stuff until the day you die❤️ I’ll miss you cousin. You were and will always be pure gold! See ya later….and thank you for your love and support when mom and dad passed. Your words helped a lot! Love, your younger cousin with the same Hood humor
Mark, you are in our thoughts and prayers and wishing you and the family as much peace as possible during this difficult time. We will miss you cousin.
I will miss my cousin Joy. She was a sweet and loving person. Many times we talked on the phone. She loved her family and especially the grandchildren.
I will cherish the memories of our time together Joy. You were more than just a patient to me, you were a true friend. May your family find comfort and strength in the prayers that surround them.
Mark, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Joyce. She was such a nice lady. Prayers for her and your family.
JP will be missed. We worked together at Hilltop Haven. She always had a lovely spirit about life. Prayers for Mark and Joyce’s family.
You are loved and will be missed dearly! Fly high and rest peacefully on the wings of the angels! Until we meet again!