Thelma Joyce (Martin) Hall

Thelma Joyce Hall

Thelma Joyce Hall, 76, of Paducah, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026, in Matador, Texas.

Joyce was born on October 9, 1949, in Paducah, Texas, to Granville and Thelma Martin. She graduated from Hart High School in 1968 and later attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

In 1972, she married Elmer Hall Jr. in Dallas, Texas. Together they built a life centered on love and family, welcoming their daughter, Lucrezia Coats, in 1974.

Throughout her life, Joyce was a dedicated and hardworking woman. She worked at Zales in Dallas, as a telephone operator, at Convergys in Dimmitt, and later at the Dimmitt Co-op. In 1980, she and her daughter moved back to Paducah, where she began a career as a dispatcher for the Paducah Police Department, EMS, and Fire Department. She faithfully served her community for 21 years before retiring in September 2001.

Joyce had many talents and hobbies. She loved painting, crocheting, and sharing stories about her family and their history. While living in Dimmitt, she was deputized to transport prisoners to Huntsville, Fort Worth, and Dallas, serving with dedication and integrity. Family was the center of her world, and she was incredibly proud of her daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Above all, Joyce loved the Lord with all her heart. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and she never missed an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others. Whether through conversation, encouragement, or simply by the way she lived, she enjoyed talking about the Lord and teaching others about His love, grace, and faithfulness. Her unwavering faith was a guiding light to everyone who knew her.

She was a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star and will be remembered for her kindness, strength, unwavering faith, dedication to serving others, and unconditional love for her family.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Lucrezia Coats; her grandchildren, Jeremy Dering and Amanda Coats; her great-grandchildren, Caleb and Connor; her beloved nieces, Beth, Linda, and Karla; her nephew, David; along with many cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Granville and Thelma Martin, and her brother, Willie G. Martin.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that Joyce's legacy of love, faith, strength, and devotion to her family will live on in all who knew and loved her. We rejoice in God's promise that she is now at peace in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she faithfully loved, served, and shared with others throughout her life.

"Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your Lord."
Matthew 25:23