On October 2, 2024, MawMaw Joy left this world to enter her heavenly home. Phyllis Joy Tate was born in Olney, Texas September 13, 1945 to William Bailey Tate and Mary Frances (Bishop) Tate. After an early childhood spent surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, the young family moved to Whitney where they remained for several years. She made some really good friends there and remained close with them for many years.
In the fifth grade, Joy’s family moved to Hamilton where her dad became the manager of Community Public Service. She loved school and made many friends, a few of which remained close throughout life. She graduated from Hamilton High School in 1963. She was an honor student, a basketball cheerleader, and an officer for her class, FHA, and pep squad. After high school, she attended a school for business where she learned how to be a legal secretary, and she put those skills to work in the law office of H.A. Leaverton. She was also employed as a teacher aide at Hamilton ISD, in accounting for Ramon Haile, and finally as a mail carrier for the Evant post office.
In June of 1964, Joy married Vernon Gromatzky. From that marriage came Mica Lea and Misti Lyn. Together, they taught their children the value of family, work ethic, honesty, and service. Joy served on numerous committees for the Young Homemakers, PTA, Athletic Booster Club, American Cancer Society, March Of Dimes, and the Dove Festival. Delicious meals were regularly served for supper and the kids’ friends and teammates were always welcome. She enjoyed making and sharing Christmas candy, refinishing antique furniture, canning pickles, singing alto, reading, playing games, shopping, attending family reunions, attending her children’s and grandchildren’s school activities, and traveling with friends.
On Memorial Day of 2017, Joy married Ben Giles and they enjoyed many hours together on the back porch watching the grass grow and listening to the birds sing. They loved sharing apples and ice cream, watching westerns, and attending church services and activities at Park Heights Church of Christ. After Joy moved into the nursing home, Ben spent countless hours with her providing companionship, love, and entertainment. For that, her girls will be eternally grateful.
Joy passed away peacefully leaving behind her husband, Ben Giles, daughters Mica Baize and Misti Polster, sons-in-law Terry Baize and Ryan Polster, grandchildren Micala Roberts and husband Clayton, McKinley Armstrong and husband Dylan, Emma Reich and husband Jonathon, Elaine Porterfield and husband Paul, John Polster, Joseph Polster, Reed Baize and wife Kellyn, Brooks Baize, and Truman Baize and wife Kadi. Sibling survivors include brother Lonnie Tate and wife Phyllis of Huckabay, Edwana Fikes and husband Wade. Ben’s daughters and their husbands, Amy and Steve Jones and Suzi and Scott Climer, as well as his son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Carla Giles, loved her dearly and visited often.
Predecessors standing by to welcome her to her heavenly home include her parents, numerous aunts and uncles and sister-cousin, Raynell Tate Mitchell.
Services will be held Friday, October 4 at 3:00 with visitation beginning at 2:00. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery and a meal will then be shared by family and friends at Hamilton Lion’s Club.
