Joyce Mae Phelps

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Bud, her parents Clarence and Florence Hourscht as well as her brother Douglas . She is survived by her four sons, Steve (Debbie) Phelps of Rockledge, Mark (Victoria) Phelps of San Antonio, FL, Chip Phelps of Rockledge and Rick (Kathy) Phelps of Melbourne. Grandchildren include Vincent (Megan) Phelps, Gregory (Nina) Phelps, Shelby (Damian) Peak, Rose (Marc) and Holly Phelps, Taylor Price, Kurstin and Jacob Phelps, and Eli and Elaine Addington. Great grandchildren include Emma, Brian, Ashlyn, Eli, Selena , Elias, and Amarianna. Joyce is also survived by her loving sisters Edith Allen AZ, Pat Garrity WA, Elaine Buysse MN, and Carol (Jim) Alexander MN.

Joyce was a country girl from MN, and met and married a handsome Airman assigned to Chandler AFS. After their final assignment in Misawa, Japan they moved to Rockledge, Florida to experience the excitement of the new space program. They became active right away in the St Mary’s Catholic community which provided so many friends, wonderful memories, and a great Christian environment. All four sons were raised through the Catholic environment at St Mary’s Church and School, with the belief that it takes a village to raise a family. Joyce loved her card games, her church and friends, everybody’s children as well as her own. Her last days were spent saying the rosary, and waiting for Jesus. She felt loved and blessed.

Funeral services will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, Sept 10, 2021 at 11:00 am. Flowers can be sent to Wylie-Baxley Funeral home in Merritt Island. She will be laid to rest along side Bud at St Eloi Cemetery in Ghent, MN at a time yet to be determined.