Joyce Nehrbass Elliott
Joyce Nehrbass Elliott, 84, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2021. She lived in Pasadena for 60 years and had recently moved to Webster.
Joyce was born on April 17, 1936 in Lawrence, Kansas to Herbert and Rose Nehrbass. After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1954, she attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. On August 16, 1959, she wed Carl Elliott in Lawrence, and they enjoyed 61 years of marriage, making their home in Pasadena, Texas and raising three daughters.
Joyce began her career as a public school music teacher, but in 1960, began to balance the roles of homemaker and part time choir director of Sunset United Methodist Church. Under her leadership, which spanned 58 years, the Sunset UMC music program grew to include handbell choirs, children’s and youth choirs, and a chancel choir that performed major works and travelled to Europe to perform in 2001 and 2004.
Joyce was also passionate about attending Texas Conference Choir Clinic, a music and worship arts camp held every summer at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center. For many years she took vanloads of Sunset UMC choir children to TCCC, raising thousands of dollars for scholarships to reduce their fees. She was an active member on the board of Choir Clinic for 29 years. One of her career highlights was serving in the role of dean for TCCC in 1989 and 1990. She was also an active member of Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Choristers Guild, Pasadena Federated Music Club, Pasadena Philharmonic Society, PEO Chapter EB, and United Methodist Women.
Joyce’s energy, dedication, and joyful enthusiasm for music ministry impacted countless people. She taught many spiritual and life lessons as she led choirs in the worship of God through music. She was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed hosting family gatherings in her home. Her love also extended to her numerous friends, many of whom she met at Sunset UMC and had known for decades.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Phyllis Pankratz and Rowena Pine. She is survived by her husband, Carl Elliott; her three daughters, Lynne (John) Thornton, Julie (David) Cantu, and Kristen (Larry) Gregory; four grandchildren, Patrick Thornton, Thomas Thornton, Loren Gregory, and Claire Gregory; and her brother, Carl (Helen) Nehrbass.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at Sunset United Methodist Church in Pasadena on January 30, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, a video of the service will be available on Sunset’s Facebook page. Memorial gifts may be made to Sunset UMC or Texas Conference Choir Clinic at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=DVQKBCD74R4NU . Donations can also be mailed to Texas Conference Choir Clinic, c/o Rebecca Collins, 1908 Lauren Lake Dr., League City, TX 77573.
Aunt Joyce was a very special lady with a compassionate heart, encouraging manner, and wonderful sense of humor and laugh. Our deepest sympathies on your loss. We wish we could be there in person and will watch on Facebook.
I have been dreading this time for several years. I started in the children’s choir at Sunset within a couple of years after Joyce began her service there. I grew up under her leadership through high school and youth choir, and later, returning as an adult in the Chancel Choir. I attended Texas Conference Choir Clinic a couple of time because of her guidance. It was a joy and privilege for me to sing next to her husband, Carl, and my own dad in the choir, along with many others who mean so much to me. These are fond memories for me. Through the years as a clergy person in the United Methodist Church, I always considered her the best choir director I had ever known. It is with much sadness for me, and yet, much joy for her because I know where she is, that I share these thoughts. Many prayers for all the family.
Prayers for your family. I have many wonderful memories of Joyce.