Joyce Elaine Pendarvis Burke, 97, passed away June 9, 2026. She was born in Beaumont, Texas, February 27, 1929, to Eugene Talmadge Pendarvis and Ollie Hazel Capps. She had one sibling, Eugene Lavelle Pendarvis.

Joyce grew up in Pasadena, Texas and graduated from Pasadena High School in 1947. She moved to Houston to attend Lillie Jolly School of Nursing at Memorial Hospital. On a blind date, she met the love of her life, Thomas Francis Burke, Jr. She graduated with her R.N. degree in May 1950 and married Tommy August 26, 1950, at Bering Methodist Church in Houston. In the first six years of marriage, Joyce and Tommy had three children and moved twelve times. Tommy’s golf profession took them to Mamaroneck, NY, Lake Forest, IL, West Palm Beach, FL, and back to Pasadena, TX.

In 1956, they moved to Corpus Christi which became their beloved permanent home, and two more children were born there. That same year, Joyce and Tommy joined St. Luke’s Methodist Church, and were faithful, active members until death did they part. She was a member of the Friendship Class, attended Bible studies, served on numerous committees over the years, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, assisted with many bazaars and “Never Again Turkey Dinners”, Methodist Women, Walk to Emmaus, and helped publish two cookbooks of delicious recipes from women (and men) in the church.

Her creative passions included oil painting, sculpture, interior design, architectural design, stained glass, mosaics, garment construction, quilts, papier-mâché, embroidery, crafts, wreaths, Christmas ornaments, and she designed and planned trees exhibited in the Christmas Tree Forest at the Art Museum of South Texas. Amidst all her interests, flower arranging and flower show judging took preeminence. Joyce was a member of the Flower Basket Garden Club and the Ocean Drive Garden Club. She became a National Flower Show Judge and gave programs and judged exhibits in many places in Texas, other states, and as far south as Mexico City.

Joyce enjoyed a wide variety of activities and friendships in the community. She liked to travel, participated in the Monday Forum and several bridge clubs, was a member of the Municipal Arts Commission, delighted to open her home for events and parties, received the Jefferson Award for community service, was an ardent promoter of the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center and helped plan the Festival of Flowers shows at the (now demolished) Coliseum. She advocated for any project to beautify Corpus Christi. She served on the King High School PTA, helped with American Cancer Society fundraisers, organized countless carpools, hosted a Thai exchange student for a year, and once hauled a station wagon packed full of becurlered King High Royalette drill team members to the SMU training camp in Dallas. Activity was her happy place.

Joyce is predeceased by her parents, Eugene Talmadge Pendarvis and Ollie Hazel Capps, her brother, Eugene Lavelle Pendarvis, her husband, Thomas Francis Burke, Jr., and her grandson, Michael Thomas Burke. She is survived by her five children: Jeffrey Thomas Burke (Kirsti Harms) of Austin, TX, Janet Burke Clyne (Jay Curt) of Mart, TX, Linda Burke Hill (Bruce), Lane Alan Burke, and Glen McChesney Burke of Corpus Christi, TX; her eight grandchildren: James Colin Clyne (Kelliann) of Walnut Creek, CA, Thomas Burke Clyne (Hillary) of Mart, TX, Stephen Lane Burke (Asia Keene) of Federal Way, WA, Claire Elizabeth Clyne of Dallas, TX, David Andrew Hill, and Mark Thomas Hill (Marissa) of Corpus Christi, TX, John McChesney Clyne (Katie) of Riesel, TX, Mark Allyn Clyne of Austin, TX; and her twelve great-grandchildren: Zoe Elizabeth, Georgia Pearl, Sally Butterscotch, Levi Monroe, James Camille, Jackson Carroll, Albert Francis Rhodes, Allyn Akira Rockwell Clyne; Mackenzie Ellen, Hailey Marie, Mark Thomas Hill II; and Linus Michael Burke.

The Burke family wishes to thank Nurses on Wheels Hospice service and their dedicated staff. The family especially wants to thank Joyce’s compassionate caregivers who served for six years above and beyond with quality care: Angie McLain, Maria Soila Nowicki, Karen Campa, Nabila Montalvo, Dorothy Orozco, Rosa Garza of Home Instead, Cristine Ochoa, and Destinie Ochoa.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive, Corpus Christi, TX, 78404. In lieu of flowers, any donations may be made to St. Luke’s Methodist Church.