Mary Joyce Elder

Mary Joyce Elder, of Midland passed away October 15, 2021.

Joyce was born in Carencro, Louisiana on February 26, 1925. Her parents are the late Edmond Melancon Sr. and Laurence Webre Melancon.  Joyce graduated from Carencro High School in 1941 and attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in Lafayette, Louisiana from 1941 to 1943. Joyce relocated to Midland, Texas to live with her brother and sister-in-law.  Her brother was a doctor stationed at the Midland Army Air Field.  She worked at Midland Army Air Field Bombardier School from October 1944 to June 1946. After the Air Field became inactivated she went to work for Superior Oil from July 1946 to March 1947. Joyce then went to work at Elder Chevrolet where she met and married Cecil H. Elder.

Joyce and Cecil were married on September 8, 1949 in her hometown of Carencro, Louisiana and then settled in Midland.

Joyce was a member of St. George’s Catholic Church, which is now known as St. Ann’s Catholic Church since 1946.  Joyce was an active member of St. Ann’s and joined the Mother’s Club and St. Ann’s Altar Society.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 45 years, and their son, James Henry “Hank” Elder.  She is survived by her children; Diane Elder (Orosz) and her husband David Orosz of Richmond, Texas; Debra Elder Van Zandt and her husband George of Jasper, Texas; daughter in law Debbie Elder of Midland, Texas; grandsons: Kyle Andrew Van Zandt of Lubbock, Texas, Kevin James Orosz of Austin, Texas, Colin Henry Elder of Midland, Texas, Derek Tyler Van Zandt of Midland, Texas, Dylan Joseph Orosz of Austin, Texas; granddaughters: Jessica Renee Van Zandt of Odessa, Texas, Courtney Ann Elder Brewer of Midland, Texas; great grandsons: Connor Andrew Van Zandt, Hudson Wayne Brewer, great granddaughters: Macie Elizabeth Van Zandt, Lily Danielle Van Zandt.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 22, 2021, with a rosary following at 7:00 p.m., at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel.  Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 23, 2021 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, with interment following at Resthaven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made to www.npwelch.com.