Sandra "Sandy" Hoke Joyce

On May 29, 2025, Sandy made her final journey home to Jesus, passing away peacefully in her home in Bryan, surrounded by her loving family.

On April 7, 1949, Claude and Grace Hoke of Dickinson, TX welcomed the youngest of five children, a daughter named Sandra Lynn, who completed the family of four daughters and one son. Sandy attended Dickinson schools from kindergarten to graduation in 1967 from Dickinson High School. Following graduation, Sandy accepted a job as a secretary at NASA in Clear Lake, Texas. It was there that she met a young engineer who was fascinated with all things space and aerospace, and the two fell in love quickly. They married on June 29,1968, a union that endured for 57 very happy years.

Her career, Sandy believed, was first to be a wife and mother and to do her best to be present for every important milestone in her family’s lives. When Paula and Paul Jr. were in school, she was “that Mom” you knew you could count on for Room Mom, car-pooling, as well as Scout Mom for the Girl Scouts, where she was a troop leader. The family home was filled with love, kindness, focused on creating a happy environment and celebrations of as many occasions together as schedules would permit. If a graduation, birthday, wedding or other celebration was happening, you could count on the Joyce family being there in full force.

She and Paul shared a love of traveling throughout the USA and often would be joined by Sandy's friend and sister Claudine. After Paul retired, they got an RV and spent much of their time traveling across the United States estimating they added 200,000 plus miles on the family truck with their travels. In 2010, they sold their home in Dickinson and hit the road living fulltime in the RV and traveling coast to coast. Some of her favorite places were Colorado, Alaska, Tennessee and Branson, MO. In 2014 they decided to set up a permanent home and chose Bryan, TX. World affairs interested her in later years, and she faithfully kept up with politics and topics that are most worthy of consideration.

During her adult life, as Paul continued his career with Johnson Space Center, Sandy worked occasionally outside the home as a secretary for Kelly Services’ placements. She also worked in a real estate firm and appraisal office, where her sense of organization was greatly appreciated. Her favorite time of the year outside of the holidays were the two consecutive weeks that she and Paul unfailingly devoted to family vacations. The Joyce family visited many places across the US making memories as a family. If someone questioned her ability to hold secretarial positions “and” count on two consecutive weeks off, she quickly responded, with a smile, “I always have options!” Her favorite phrase served her well as she would remind her children and grandchildren to keep their eyes open to the world around them and be a good host to new ideas and ways of problem solving.

Sandy’s home was her castle. Gifts from her family and other loved ones added to her collection of tea pots of all shapes and sizes, and to her ceramic bird collection, which she prized. She was an avid cross stitch and crocheting master. She made cross stitch Christmas stockings and afghans for her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Having fresh flowers on the table always delighted her. When “the kids” were coming for a visit, she went right into prep mode, announcing, “I need to start baking!” The must-haves among her treats included MeMe’s best brownies, cinnamon pinwheels and honey bars. Her breakfast pancakes and waffles were the best.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Grace Hoke, Jr; her in-laws, Byron and Viola Joyce; grandson, Casey Michael Joyce; great-granddaughter, Elyana Viola Villarreal; her sisters Claudine Posey and husband, Gordon; Audrey Bain and husband, Wayne.

Sandy is survived by her husband of 57 years, Paul, their daughter Paula Brune and husband, Quinten; their son, Paul Joyce Jr. and wife, Robin; sister, Loretta Theriot and husband, Norman; and brother, Butch Hoke and wife, Irene as well as numerous extended family and friends including some special friends from the "RV days" and POGO games.

The most important title that Sandy carried in this world were those of Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother.

She was known as “MeMe” to Paula’s children: Jessica Rangel and husband, Steven; Maegan Villarreal and husband, Steven; and Paul and Robin’s children: Dr. Cailin Smith and husband, Riley; Paige Joyce, and Christian Joyce.

The third generation to receive Sandy’s devotion includes Ryan Rangel, Alayna Rangel, Aniah Villarreal, Zachariah Villarreal, and Tobias Villarreal. Two special little ones due this summer include two great-grandsons Wesley Michael Smith and Soul Angel Villarreal.

She was generous but not wasteful, fun-loving yet practical, and devoted to her family above all else. Sandy leaves a permanent legacy of love, memories of thoughtful kindness cherished by all who were fortunate to know her and share time with her.

A Celebration of Life is planned for later this year. Condolences may be expressed in her online guestbook at www.CallawayJones.com