Joy Dale Shoemaker

Joy Shoemaker, 87, of Holly Lake Ranch, Texas died peacefully on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 in Grapevine, Texas. She will be greatly missed by her two loving children, four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was a fun-loving person that enjoyed her family and loved to travel.

Joy was born on September 30, 1933 in Kilgore to Archie V. and Stella Ritchie. Joy married Jesse L. Mays in 1954 in Natchez, Mississippi, but was widowed in 1965.  Joy married A. T. Shoemaker in 1970 and taught school in Richardson, Texas for over 20 years.  Joy earned a B.E. from University of Southern Mississippi and a M.E. from Southern Methodist University.  Joy and A. T. moved to Holly Lake Ranch full time in 1990, where she enjoyed all the clubs and organizations, playing bridge, and the wildlife, especially birds.  Joy was known in her later years as “the Bracelet lady” as her hobby was making bead bracelets which she gave to everyone she met.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bobby Ritchie, and son-in-law Steve Tischer.  She is survived by daughter Sharon Tischer of North Richland Hills; son, Randy Shoemaker and wife Kim of Holly Lake Ranch; grandson Matt Tischer and wife Jennifer of Whitehouse (their children Brylee and Bella); grandson Jarett Shoemaker and wife Lauren of Holly Lake Ranch (their children Addison and Landon); grandson Adam Tischer and wife Cacy of Colleyville (their children Addison, Reese, and Luke); granddaughter Ashley Fuller and husband Jonathan of Holly Lake Ranch (their children Austyn and Kynlee); and many relatives and friends.

A private graveside service is scheduled at Holly Tree Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials in her honor be sent to Holly Lake Area Women’s Service Guild, P. O. Box 1624, Hawkins, Texas, 75765.