Mary Joyce (Pels) Lamkin

Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Joyce (Pels) Lamkin, age 80, of Muenster will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, July 24 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Muenster. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Rosary and Vigil will be held at 6:00pm, Wednesday, July 23 at Scott Funeral Home in Muenster. Mary was born March 26, 1945 in Muenster to Edward and Genevieve (Yosten) Pels. She was the fourth of nine children, but the first daughter. She grew up in Muenster and graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in 1963. She went on to obtain her LVN from Gainesville Memorial Hospital in 1968. On August 23, 1969, she married Harvey Lamkin of St Jo in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They have two children: Kelly and Eddie Lamkin. Mary’s nursing career spanned over 40 years. She began her career at St. Jo Nursing Home. She moved to working at St. Richard’s Villa in Muenster and then Gainesville Memorial Hospital. She ended her career at North Texas Medical Center of Gainesville where she retired in 2011. After her retirement, Mary enjoyed spending more time with her family, especially her granddaughters, Madison and Lynsey. Her joy increased with the birth of her great-grandsons, Brantley and Raiden. She loved being called Meme. Mary enjoyed tending to her flowers and friendly gnomes, and watching the birds at the birdfeeders. She also sold AVON for many years. Mary continued her nursing skills as her husband, Harvey, fell ill. They were able to celebrate 48 years of marriage before Harvey passed away in 2018. In the last 2 ½ years of Mary’s life, she battled cancer with strength and grace; never complaining. She will be remembered for her kindness, love, sense of humor, helpfulness, and strength. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Lamkin; son, Eddie and wife Carol Lamkin; granddaughters, Madison and husband Aaron Ray, and Lynsey Lamkin; great-grandsons, Brantley Lamkin and Raiden Ray; brothers, Jerry Pels, and Kevin and wife Laura Pels; sisters, Carol and husband Jim Fuhrmann; Dee Eberhart; Joannie and husband Ronnie Huneycutt; Bev and husband Steve Stevens; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. Mary was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; grandson, Dakota Lamkin; and brothers, Clifford and Bob. The family would like to thank all those who helped Mary while on this journey including those who took her to her cancer treatments, provided food, gave monetary donations, and provided support and prayers. Thank you to the Muenster fire department for all of their help. A special thank you to the Home Hospice team for their care, love, and support. The family asks that memorial donations be made to: Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke, and Fannin Counties or the Muenster Volunteer Fire Department.

Mary Joyce (Pels) Lamkin

March 26, 1945 - July 19, 2025