Tender Joy TenBrink

Tender Joy Morris was born on February 7, 1976, in Houston, Texas. She moved to Tyler, with her parents, before her first birthday. She went to be with Jesus Christ after a courageous battle with cancer.

Tender married Robert TenBrink on June 30, 2001, after meeting during Y2K. Together they served on the worship team in Michigan and Tyler, Texas. She simply adored their Sunday omelet breakfasts.

From the age of 11 Tender has served at the church through Worship. She was one of the founding members that started Children’s Church at TCF in 1991. She was the VBS Director, Children’s Church Director, Women’s Ministry Leader, Deacon, Provided Tech Support, and Easter Bunny Costume wearer/enforcer. (“No” was not in her vocabulary).

She homeschooled her four children for 16 years. She joined Cottage Garden in 2010 (Homeschool Co-Op) where she was a teacher, coordinator, and tech support. She served as the Director for seven years. In addition to Cottage Garden she had passion to teach piano in her home. She became a representative for Sonlight (homeschool curriculum company) in 2017. She served as score keeper, tech support, and videographer for HEAT (Homeschool Sport Organization). (Again “No” was not in her vocabulary).

Tender was preceded in death by Chuck Morris, her father, Roger TenBrink, her father-in-law, and Chad Grinwis, Robert’s cousin.

Tender is survived by her husband, Robert, and her children, Charles, Selah, Elijah, and Truth. Her mother Helen Morris, her mother-in-law, Marilyn TenBrink. Her sisters Connie and her husband David Yowell, Melanie and her husband Jonathan Cave, and April and her husband Ethan McDonald, her sister-in-law, Rhonda and her husband Jim McCarthy as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and countless cousins.

In loving memory of our beloved angel, Tender, the last verse she highlighted in her bible, 3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth”

A visitation for Tender will be held Friday, January 10, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home - Cemetery & Mausoleum, 12053 State Highway 64 West, Tyler, TX 75704. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at South Spring Baptist Church, 17002 US-69, Tyler, TX 75703.

In Tender's memory, contributions can be made to the Youth With A Mission, Diriamba, Nicaragua via Tyler Christian Fellowship Church.