Joyce Mariam Titus-Thomas

Joyce Mariam Titus-Thomas was the beloved daughter of Titus John and Annie Titus, sister of Jason Titus, cherished wife of Ajoy Thomas, and loving mother of Nathan Thomas.

Joyce was born in Delhi, India, on February 15, 1984. Her grandfather affectionately nicknamed her “Sthuthi,” meaning “Praise.” As the firstborn, she brought tremendous joy to her family. Loving and obedient, she also had an adventurous spirit, occasionally challenging her parents to overcome their fears—including her mother’s fear of dogs!

Joyce became a big sister to her brother Jason in 1988. The family then emigrated to Toronto, Canada from India in 1991. In 1993, Joyce received the Holy Spirit at the age of nine, beginning a deeply personal walk with God that would shape the rest of her life. She desired water baptism at age ten but was encouraged to wait. After the family moved to Houston, Texas, in 1997, she was baptized at age thirteen.

Joyce graduated from Texas Southern University with a degree in Health Administration. Driven by compassion and a desire to serve others, she worked with nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping the less privileged. Her heart for service extended to Andhra Pradesh, India for two months in 2009, where she devoted herself to a girls’ orphanage, offering care, encouragement, and hope.

Joyce married Ajoy Thomas in 2010, and they began their life together in New Jersey. While pursuing her Masters’ degree, Joyce felt God calling her to serve as a teacher at the Christian school affiliated with their church. After prayerfully seeking God’s direction, she set aside her studies to answer that calling. She also led worship and mentored young adults, leaving a lasting impression on those she interacted with.

In 2012, Joyce developed a debilitating cough that persisted for months. Through this difficult season, she remained steadfast in her personal convictions and her desire to honor what God had spoken to her. Her faith was not merely something she professed; it guided her decisions, even when the path was difficult.

Joyce and Ajoy returned to Houston in 2013, where they welcomed their beloved son, Nathan Andrews Thomas. Joyce had received his name in a dream and treasured its meaning, “A gift from God.” Motherhood became one of Joyce’s greatest joys. She and Ajoy thoughtfully considered every aspect of Nathan’s upbringing, continually seeking God’s guidance.

In 2015, the family moved to Dallas, Texas, where they purchased their first home. Joyce began working at Spanish Schoolhouse, the preschool Nathan attended. She valued introducing him to different languages and cultures, hoping he would develop a heart for people around the world.

Joyce and Ajoy later felt led to homeschool Nathan. She instilled in him the importance of reading the Bible daily, maintaining a positive attitude, and seeking God’s will in every decision. Throughout her life, Joyce pursued work that made a meaningful difference rather than financial success. In 2021, she joined Buckner International, a Dallas-based ministry serving vulnerable children and senior adults. She served there for four years, most recently as Manager of Data Systems and Reporting, blessing her coworkers through her dedication and compassion.

Joyce also served on the board of Sowers Fund, a ministry helping families overcome poverty through small grants and financial training. As a worship leader, she contributed extensively to WorshipBuddy, an app supporting churches and worship teams, helping shape its features and personally supporting churches using the platform. Beyond her professional and ministry commitments, Joyce’s heart remained rooted in her family and church. She served wherever there was a need, particularly among young adults. She organized events, offered counsel, and mentored many, always grounding her guidance in God’s Word. Even during her final year, as her physical strength declined, she made every effort to remain present for the young adults she loved.

Joyce’s relationship with Christ was deeply personal. In conversations with various people, she often asked, “What did God speak about it?” She sought His direction in every major decision and, once convinced of His will, followed it faithfully, regardless of personal inconvenience.

During her final days, Joyce found comfort in God’s promises and sought to make things right with anyone she believed she might have offended. In her final prayer with her family, she lifted her hands and declared, “The enemy has no power over me; I have the victory in Jesus.” Those who knew Joyce will remember her unwavering faith, generous heart, and extraordinary thoughtfulness. She gave freely of her time, attention, and love, often recognizing the needs of others before they were spoken. Joyce listened for God’s voice and followed Him faithfully to the very end. The countless lives she touched remain her enduring legacy. She is dearly loved and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, church, students, and all who were blessed to know her.