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.

To sign the online registry, please go to www.meadorfuneral.com.