Joyce Beckley-Thomas, passed away on October 12, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital Hospice, Fort Wayne, IN at the age of 81, after a brave journey with cancer.
Joyce Marie Beckley-Thomas was born Joyce Marie Roberson on June 28, 1944, in Lawrenceburg, TN, to Mr. Ferd and Mrs. Pauline (Beckley) Roberson Jr. Joyce's parent divorced when she was a toddler. Her mother passed away in 1951, Joyce was 7 years old.
After her mother's passing she was raised by her grandparents John Sr. and Della Beckley. Joyce accepted Christ as her savior at the Church of Christ at the age of 8 yrs old. Joyce was 9 yrs old when her grandparents were granted full custody of her and they changed her name to Joyce Marie Beckley.
Joyce excelled in school she was one of the top winners in a spelling bee at West Gaines School in Lawrenceburg, TN. She was inspired by her grandmother's sister Cora Haynes, a teacher in the public schools to become a teacher for her career choice.
Joyce's grandfather decided to move his family to Fort Wayne, IN in 1959 to be closer to his oldest daughter Elnora Elizabeth Roberts, at this time Joyce briefly attended Southside High School. Her grandfather did not like the harsh winters in Fort Wayne and he and his wife along with Joyce moved back to Lawrenceburg, TN. He passed away one year later.
Joyce had to take a bus ride of 20 miles to attend Clarke High School in Mt. Pleasant, TN, because there was not a high school in Lawrenceburg, TN for Black students at the time.
In 1962, she graduated from Clarke High School, with honors, while there she was a member of the National Honor Society.
In the summer of 1962, Joyce and her grandmother returned to Fort Wayne, IN and Joyce attended St. Francis College (Now the University of St. Francis.) Joyce, had to work nights and some Saturdays to earn money to pay for her tuition and books. On a job as salesperson, in a downtown Fort Wayne department store, Joyce faced discrimination when one of her managers gave her commission to her white co-workers after she earned it.
In June 1966, Joyce graduated from St. Francis College, Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in English Education.
In the Fall of 1966, Joyce Beckley began her career as a teacher at Weisser Park Junior High School in Fort Wayne, IN. She was an English teacher, and she was also the student yearbook advisor. A few years later she was moved to Shawnee Junior High School in Fort Wayne, where she also taught English and was the debate coach for the school's debate team.
After the passing of her grandmother in 1973, she became a staunch animal activist by volunteering at animal shelters in Fort Wayne.
In August of 1977, Joyce married Neal M. Thomas, they did not have children. They raised cattle for dairy farms on a property near their Roanoke, IN home. Neal M. Thomas passed away in March of 2021.
Joyce returned to the University of St. Francis in 1977 to obtain a master's degree in education. She graduated in 1979. She retired from the Fort Wayne School system in 1999.
In Joyce's later senior years, her health began to decline, she became secretive and isolated from her close family and friends. Her family did not learn of her passing until November 29, 2025. Joyce chose cremation and her ashes were scattered by one of her friends at her address in Roanoke, Indiana.
Joyce Beckley-Thomas is survived by her cousins: Renee Beckley of Pontiac, Michigan, Gloria Beckley-Sanders, Davenport, Florida, and Sandra Beckley of Warren, Michigan and her 2 miniature horses.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and husband. Her Uncle John Beckley Jr, her aunt Elnora Elizabeth (Charles) Roberts, Great Uncles Joseph Beckley (Myrtle) Sr, and George Beckley. Cousins Joseph Beckley Jr, Jobe Beckley Sr, and David E. Beckley, also preceding in death her dogs the late Caesar and Perkins.
Joyce's cousin Renee Beckley would sincerely like to thank the following, Joyce's friend Tammy (Last name unknown) from Angola, IN for jumping the front gate in the April 2023 wellness check. Thank you, to the staff of Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN and ALL remaining friends of Joyce's from St. Francis College Class of 1966 and all throughout her career in the Fort Wayne Public Schools.
Joyce Marie Beckley-Thomas June 28, 1944-October 12, 2025
Loved by Family and Friends-FOREVER
BIBLE VERSES JOYCE LEARNED IN LIFE
Lord's Prayer (KJV) Matthew 6:19, John 3:16, Psalms Chapter 23, John 11:25-26
Song for comfort found on You Tube "In My New Home" Sung by Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Student Emergency Fund at the University of St. Francis
Make Checks payable to: University of St. Francis
Memo Line: Student Emergency Fund/In memory of Joyce Beckley-Thomas
Mail Checks to:
Development Office
University of St. Francis
2701 Spring ST.
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Joyce Marie Beckley-Thomas was born Joyce Marie Roberson on June 28, 1944, in Lawrenceburg, TN, to Mr. Ferd and Mrs. Pauline (Beckley) Roberson Jr. Joyce's parent divorced when she was a toddler. Her mother passed away in 1951, Joyce was 7 years old.
After her mother's passing she was raised by her grandparents John Sr. and Della Beckley. Joyce accepted Christ as her savior at the Church of Christ at the age of 8 yrs old. Joyce was 9 yrs old when her grandparents were granted full custody of her and they changed her name to Joyce Marie Beckley.
Joyce excelled in school she was one of the top winners in a spelling bee at West Gaines School in Lawrenceburg, TN. She was inspired by her grandmother's sister Cora Haynes, a teacher in the public schools to become a teacher for her career choice.
Joyce's grandfather decided to move his family to Fort Wayne, IN in 1959 to be closer to his oldest daughter Elnora Elizabeth Roberts, at this time Joyce briefly attended Southside High School. Her grandfather did not like the harsh winters in Fort Wayne and he and his wife along with Joyce moved back to Lawrenceburg, TN. He passed away one year later.
Joyce had to take a bus ride of 20 miles to attend Clarke High School in Mt. Pleasant, TN, because there was not a high school in Lawrenceburg, TN for Black students at the time.
In 1962, she graduated from Clarke High School, with honors, while there she was a member of the National Honor Society.
In the summer of 1962, Joyce and her grandmother returned to Fort Wayne, IN and Joyce attended St. Francis College (Now the University of St. Francis.) Joyce, had to work nights and some Saturdays to earn money to pay for her tuition and books. On a job as salesperson, in a downtown Fort Wayne department store, Joyce faced discrimination when one of her managers gave her commission to her white co-workers after she earned it.
In June 1966, Joyce graduated from St. Francis College, Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in English Education.
In the Fall of 1966, Joyce Beckley began her career as a teacher at Weisser Park Junior High School in Fort Wayne, IN. She was an English teacher, and she was also the student yearbook advisor. A few years later she was moved to Shawnee Junior High School in Fort Wayne, where she also taught English and was the debate coach for the school's debate team.
After the passing of her grandmother in 1973, she became a staunch animal activist by volunteering at animal shelters in Fort Wayne.
In August of 1977, Joyce married Neal M. Thomas, they did not have children. They raised cattle for dairy farms on a property near their Roanoke, IN home. Neal M. Thomas passed away in March of 2021.
Joyce returned to the University of St. Francis in 1977 to obtain a master's degree in education. She graduated in 1979. She retired from the Fort Wayne School system in 1999.
In Joyce's later senior years, her health began to decline, she became secretive and isolated from her close family and friends. Her family did not learn of her passing until November 29, 2025. Joyce chose cremation and her ashes were scattered by one of her friends at her address in Roanoke, Indiana.
Joyce Beckley-Thomas is survived by her cousins: Renee Beckley of Pontiac, Michigan, Gloria Beckley-Sanders, Davenport, Florida, and Sandra Beckley of Warren, Michigan and her 2 miniature horses.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and husband. Her Uncle John Beckley Jr, her aunt Elnora Elizabeth (Charles) Roberts, Great Uncles Joseph Beckley (Myrtle) Sr, and George Beckley. Cousins Joseph Beckley Jr, Jobe Beckley Sr, and David E. Beckley, also preceding in death her dogs the late Caesar and Perkins.
Joyce's cousin Renee Beckley would sincerely like to thank the following, Joyce's friend Tammy (Last name unknown) from Angola, IN for jumping the front gate in the April 2023 wellness check. Thank you, to the staff of Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN and ALL remaining friends of Joyce's from St. Francis College Class of 1966 and all throughout her career in the Fort Wayne Public Schools.
Joyce Marie Beckley-Thomas June 28, 1944-October 12, 2025
Loved by Family and Friends-FOREVER
BIBLE VERSES JOYCE LEARNED IN LIFE
Lord's Prayer (KJV) Matthew 6:19, John 3:16, Psalms Chapter 23, John 11:25-26
Song for comfort found on You Tube "In My New Home" Sung by Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Student Emergency Fund at the University of St. Francis
Make Checks payable to: University of St. Francis
Memo Line: Student Emergency Fund/In memory of Joyce Beckley-Thomas
Mail Checks to:
Development Office
University of St. Francis
2701 Spring ST.
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
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