Joyce Thornell

joyce thornell
Joyce (Penter) Thornell, 84, of Black Oak, Arkansas, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2018 in New Braunfels, Texas. Her death was due to complications of Alzheimer's disease. Joyce was born on September 14, 1934 in Black Oak. After high school, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she met and married Thomas Thornell. Years later, Joyce and Tom moved back to Black Oak. In the last two years of her life, she lived with her daughter in Texas. Joyce was an avid reader. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles and country music. She was lovingly known to her grandchildren as Ma. This nickname stuck with her for the remainder of her life. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Velma Penter; her husband, Tom; her siblings, Nathaniel Penter, Reba Clapper, Sue Nichols, and Randy Penter; and two grandchildren, Heather and Joshua Askins. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Donna Askins and son-in-law, Jim Askins, of Cibolo, Texas; her son, Barry Thornell and daughter-in-law, Tonya Thornell, of Alton, Illinois; her grandchildren, Grant Thornell and Rita Thornell of Lubbock, Texas, Jennifer Daines and her husband, Brandon, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kerry Nichols and her husband, Casey, of Clayton, North Carolina, and Jayme Toerner and husband Clay of Honolulu, Hawaii; 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A private service will be held in the spring at Monette Cemetery.

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