Joy Cramer

Joy Cramer, age 87, passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023. She was born Elissa Joy Flynt in Winters, Texas to Grady and Vivian Flynt on January 31, 1936. She was raised in Anson, Texas where she attended Anson High School and graduated valedictorian in 1953. During those years she was an accomplished drummer in the Tiger band. Joy attended college at Hardin Simmons University where she graduated with two degrees in three years; teaching and medical technology. During her time there she also played drums with the Hardin Simmons Cowgirls. She started her teaching career in Anson and ended as a medical technologist at Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi.

Joy married Don Cramer in 1973; enjoying 50 years of marriage. Joy was known as Don’s number 1 and Joy called him number 13.

Joy and Don purchased Airways Travel Service in 1982 and enjoyed the perks of the travel business until their retirement; traveling around the world, always making a point to visit art galleries and museums. Joy loved the arts; theater, symphony and the opera and had season tickets in Houston for years.

They also enjoyed tennis and golf. They were active members of Pharaoh Country Club playing in many tournaments; winning a state championship with her women’s tennis team.  

She loved her grandchildren and her great grandson; often cooking their breakfast requests or introducing them to her favorite breakfast taco establishments.  

Joy and Don were long time members of Covenant Church, now Safe Harbor Fellowship. She loved her church and they often hosted baptisms in their swimming pool. Nothing made her happier than showing off her family at a Sunday service.

Joy was preceded in death by her father, Grady Flynt, her mother, Vivian (Esmond) Flynt and sister in law Louan Flynt. She is survived by her husband, Donald Lee Cramer,  sister Jill Tollison (Danny), brother Jack Flynt, daughter Elizabeth Hure (Mike), step- children Jeff Cramer, Susan Cramer, Nancy Cramer and Tracy Gibson (Mike), grandchildren Jennifer Mundy (Justin), Kathleen Kleypas, Rachel Cook (Andrew) and Robert Hure (Brenna) as well as great grandson Grayson Mundy and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

A visitation will be Sunday, March 19th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Seaside Funeral Home, 4357 Ocean Drive. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 20th at 2:00 pm at Safe Harbor Fellowship, 4215 South Staples, Suite 102. There will be a private burial at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Safe Harbor Fellowship or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Wooldridge Place that cared for her in her final days. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.