Joyce Nelle Nunley

Joyce Nell Phelps Nunley made her transition on June 13, 2014 at the home of her beloved nephew and family after a lengthy illness. Joyce Nell Phelps Nunley was born November 28, 1945 in Harwood, Texas, a small rural town in Gonzales County, the daughter of the late Thelma Mae Phelps. She is the first surviving grandchild born to the late Clarence Clifford Phelps and Gussie Lee Carr Phelps and grew up in her grandparents' household with her mother and eleven aunts and uncles. She was a child adored by her family. Joyce began her education in San Antonio, Texas. She moved to Houston, Texas at the age of 16 to live with her aunts and their nine children. Joyce took care of her nine little cousins while their mothers worked the graveyard shift. She adored her cousins and protected them with her very life. She graduated from Worthing High School in Houston, Texas at the age of 18 and went on to fulfill her purpose in life. Joyce married the late Calvin Leon Nunley just after high school and to this union was born one child. Joyce grew to be a leader especially in her generation of her family. She loved and cared for her family, friends, neighbors and all those around her. Her contributions to the world include her love of God, service at her church, beloved son and grandson, a strong sense of family, giving heart, thoughtfulness, and humorous spirit. The humorous things she sometimes said lifted the spirit of those she encountered. Joyce accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized and attended Southeast Community Church in Houston Texas, Rev. Thurman H. West Pastor, since 1994. She served on numerous committees such as (PAC) Pastor Aid Committee, Morning Fire Sunday School Class, Southeast Community Church Greeters, Decorating Committee and The Shermanaries Praise Dance Team. Joyce spent her professional life working for Drs. George and Susan Denfield as a nanny caring for their two children George IV and Jennifer Denfield. She cared for George IV and Jennifer from infancy to adulthood. She adored the Denfield family and they adored her in return. She spent more than 20-years with the family and they came to love and rely upon her giving heart, good judgment and jovial spirit. She retired from her charge when her health failed and spent the remainder of her time on this earth in the care of her loving nephew Zerrick Owens and his devoted wife Lanelle Henderson Owens. She was preceded in death by her mother the late Thelma Mae Phelps Randle, husband, Calvin Leon Nunley, son, Kevin Dewayne Nunley, grandparents, Clarence Clifford Phelps, Gussie Lee Carr Phelps, uncles, aunt and cousins. She moved into a higher dimension of living, and her family rejoices in her love and her life. Among those that love and cherish her are: a grandson Trevin Nunley, two sisters, Wilma Jean Randle and Linda Jones, two brothers, Brice Randle and Kenneth Randle, two nephews, Zerrick Owens and Brandon Evans, one niece, Joy Estrea Randle, goddaughters Amber Levy and Jada Cole. Also she has many cousins and a host of other relatives and friends to rejoice in the great celebration of her life.