Joye Dehnisch Thomas Harris passed away Sunday, April 13, 2008 at her home in Sinton after a short illness. She was born July 19, 1921 to Robert Joseph and Jamesina Jenkins Dehnisch in Yoakum, Texas and moved to West Sinton with her family in 1925. Joye graduated from Sinton High School and attended Baylor University and the University of Texas.

Her first husband, Alfred W. “Bub” Cherry, Jr. died four months prior to the birth of their son, Alfred “Bubba” Cherry (Thomas) in 1942. In 1950 Joye married Joseph W. “Joe” Thomas of Glen Campbell, PA. Joye and Joe lived in Sinton where both were employed by the Plymouth Oil Company. In 1954, daughter, Joye Lynn was born. 

Predeceased by Joe in 1990, Joye married Morris R. “Ray” Harris, Sr. in 1992.  

Joye was also preceded in death by her son Bubba Thomas, and husband Ray Harris.

She is survived by her daughter, Joye L. Thomas of Charlotte, NC. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Florence “Flossie” Thomas; granddaughter Jessica Thomas Bates and husband Tray Bates; grandson, Wendell J. Thomas; all of Sinton and granddaughter, Jennifer Thomas Adams of Zachary, LA. Joye was also blessed with four great grandsons, Austin Adams, Layton Thomas Bates, Walker Thomas, and Blake Thomas Bates.

Joye is also survived by her step-sons Ray Harris, Jr. and wife Jan; John Harris and wife Betty; James Harris and wife Terry and Richard Harris and wife Kathleen, seven step-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.

Survivors also include her dear friends Eleanor Harren and Robert Dirks.

Joye was a member of Sinton Presbyterian Church, Brush County Cattle Women, the U.S. Tennis Association and an honorary member of the Sinton Rotary Club.   She served on the board of the Joe and Joye Thomas, Alfred C. “Bubba” Thomas Library which she gave as a gift to the City of Sinton in honor of Joe and “Bubba” Thomas.  Joye was an advocate of a strong education.  She was a generous contributor to many educational scholarships and also supplied many students with educational tools including books and supplies for their studies.   

In high school, Joye competed in state-level tennis.  She participated in the Senior Games and the Senior Olympics where she medaled in tennis. Joye continued to be an avid tennis player and a three time ladies doubles champion at the Bud Collins Hackers Open in Long Boat Key, Florida.  Her final championship was achieved at the age of seventy-three. 

Joye loved her family, friends, flowers, dancing, baseball, tennis and extensive travel from Hilton Head Island, S.C. to Costa Rica.  She was a long-time supporter of Sinton High School athletics and the Corpus Christi Hooks Baseball Team. Joye rarely missed a home game!                                                                                         

Joye could often be seen at lunch at her reserved table at Backstreet Café.  Dressed head to toe in her whimsical outfits, Joye coordinated it all with her signature designer sunglasses, purses, shoes and accessories to match.  She greeted everyone who walked by and treated each to a laugh with her latest joke or story.

She was a very giving person to all on many occasions with her gifts of flowers, Backstreet chicken salad sandwiches and Sinton’s famous Aunt Aggie De’s Pralines.

A special thanks to long-time employees Lisa Moody and David Perez.  The family extends their appreciation to Dr. Frank Dehnisch and associates, the doctors, nurses and staff at Corpus Christi Doctors’ Regional Hospital, Jerry and Glenda Kane of Corpus Christi, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Vista Care Hospice in Corpus Christi and her primary caretaker, Eleana Salinas, for their care during her illness.

Visitation with family will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2008 from 5:00pm to7:00pm at Resthaven Funeral Home in Sinton.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, April 17, 2008, 10:00 AM, at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel in Sinton.  A graveside service will follow at the Sinton Cemetery following the service.  

Memorials may be made to Sinton Presbyterian Church or the Joe and Joye Thomas, Alfred C. “Bubba” Thomas Library in Sinton.

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