Mary Joyce (Williams) Emert; 88 years, 3 months, 30 days; of Madisonville, TX; passed away peacefully on Thursday; June 22, 2023 in Madisonville, TX knowing God needed another matriarch and angel to help manage all the loved ones and friends who had gone before her.

Her life will be celebrated at 11AM on Monday; June 26, 2023 at Day Funeral Home Chapel with the burial to follow at North Mount Tabor Cemetery.

The visitation is scheduled to begin at 10AM prior to the service. Bro. Glenn Connor will officiate and will be assisted by Jonny Heaton.

Joyce, as she was known to her family and Community.

Joyce was an avid hunter, and if you went hunting with her, you were expected to bring in the game and help process the game. She gave up hunting around 2015, not because she wanted to, but due to her extreme tremors which prevented her from shooting accurately. Joyce took care of her ranch with her son, Billy Don’s assistance after losing her husband, Clint. She did extensive fence building and repairs, even mowing her pastures with a 14’ shredder. Joyce worked in 100 degree weather with gallons of ice water and 20 degree weather bundled in winter attire to tend to her cattle, who she friends, was born on a cold winter day on February 23, 1935 in Madison County to Willie and Bethel Hazel (Biddle) Williams. She served her community for many years as a nurse and retired from nursing to her ranch in the Mount Tabor considered her babies and knowing by name. With her health failing, she sold her cattle in 2017. Joyce was a midnite oil burner when it came to reading, sometimes up to 2 books a week. Many thanks to our community’s librarians for keeping track of the books which she read.

After working for Dr. Paul Heaton for approximately 40 years as his nurse, and with his health failing, she lived on his ranch taking care of him and his ranch until his death in 2008.

In her later years, Joyce served others as a caregiver, spending endless nights taking care of the elderly in their homes as well as in her own home. Joyce was one of those people whose words were rock solid, and she said firmly what she meant, always wanting everything done now, if not sooner. Her health had been declining over the past 4.5 years, and with the help of her family, she was able to stay in her home until the last two months of her life.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her devoted husband of 47 wonderful years – Clint Edward Emert; and her brothers, Robbie Carol Williams and Ray Williams. She is survived by her son, Billy Don Emert; her grandson, Michael Edward Emert (Samantha); her great grandchildren, Payton, Penelope, Milo, Rowan, and Zane; Jack Heaton whom she also considered to be a great grandchild; her sister, Dell Ann Williams (Jerry Lee DeFrenchi), her special friends who she considered as her family and who have been so attentive to her, Jonny Heaton (Jennifer).

Serving as pallbearers are: Michael Williams, Corey Williams, David Phinney, Stephen Petri, Russell Mosley, and Lewis Stuckey. The family would like to thank the staff of Texas Loving Care and Allumine Health for their excellent care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to North Mount Tabor Cemetery Association (Post Office Box 1236; Madisonville, TX 77864).