Joy Evelyn (Felder) Brooks

Graveside services for Joy Evelyn (Felder) Brooks will be held Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Shiloh Cemetery in Alto, 9200 FM 752, 3 miles NW of Alto, with Pastor Jeremy Yancey officiating.

Joy Evelyn (Felder) Brooks, 95, of Lufkin ascended into the arms of Jesus Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at her residence, under the auspices of Hospice in the Pines.

Joy, wife, mother, sister, Grandma, and Mamaw, as known to her family, was born July 7, 1931 in Alto, Texas to Harmon Lee and Jimmie Gertrude (Oliver) Felder. Her siblings, younger brothers, John Felder and Joe Felder.

Joy attended school in the Cold Springs Community and Alto public school. Joy met her forever love, Arthur Brooks, Jr., at school and their love grew while working together at Boyd’s Pharmacy in Alto. Joy and Arthur were married August 7, 1946 and were together 70 years prior to Arthur’s death in 2016. Together two daughters were born, Donna Mozelle and Linda Joy.

Joy was a stay-at-home mother while their girls were young. She was a talented seamstress, making most of the girls’ dresses throughout the years. Joy also cooked like she sewed, adding love into each meal she prepared. Her most important role as a mother, however, was to ensure Donna and Linda were in church and learned about Jesus and His loving goodness.

As a young wife and mother Joy joined the First Assembly of God Church in Lufkin in the 1950’s. She was an integral part of the church, teaching Sunday school classes, providing leadership in the Missionette girls, and sharing her voice in the church choir. First Assembly is now known as Timber Creek Church, and Joy is thought to be the holder of the longest membership and at 95 she was the oldest member.

Joy and Arthur co-owned Murrell’s Pharmacy. Joy later worked for JC Penney, retiring after 20 years of service. She loved her work family.

Survivors include her daughter, Linda Joy Brooks Latimer and husband Frank of Lufkin; grandsons, Mark Evans and wife Pamela of New Braunfels, Malcolm Evans and wife Susan of Magnolia; great-grandsons, Hunter Evans of San Antonio, U.S. Army Sgt., Tyler Evans of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Merrick Evans of Magnolia; great-granddaughter, Sophia Evans of Magnolia; brother, Joe Felder and wife Patricia of Lufkin; sisters-in-law, Shirley Meeks, Nancy Brooks, and Joyce Campbell, all of Mineola, and Marge Brooks of Fort Worth; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Joy was predeceased by her parents; daughter and son-in-law, Donna Brooks Evans and Malcolm Perry Evans; brother, John Felder; and parents-in-law, Arthur, Sr. and Gladys Brooks.

Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Latimer, Joe Felder, Mark Evans, Malcolm Evans, Hunter Evans, U.S. Army Sgt., Tyler Evans, Duane Freeman, and Merrick Evans.

On a personal note, Linda and Frank were honored and privileged to be caretakers to Joy in their home with Hospice. As caretakers it was a last gift to “Mother” Joy. She is already deeply missed.

Special thanks to Joe and Pat for walking with us during this season. You were there daily - you are loved.

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening at Carroway Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.