A retired mother of four and grandmother of five, Joye Thackston, spent twenty years creating and operating three different businesses. After retiring for the third time, she is still finding plenty to do. She has a passion for teaching in prison. Joye has spent the last fourteen years teaching Bible classes at the ladies prison in Gatesville, Texas. If you asked her to list her greatest accomplishments, her family and children would be number one. She describes them as blessings from God. Her legacy is to leave them with a knowledge of their loving God, which is their inheritance.
Born in Gatesville, Texas, Joye studied business at East Texas State. She lives in Waco, Texas, with her husband, Douglas. Her three remaining children, Kelly, Kim, and Kenneth live nearby. When asked what qualified her to write a book for children, she replied, “A call from God and a willing spirit to obey. Of course, being a mother and grandmother has provided plenty of material.”
Joye and her husband are retired and live in central Texas. She attended East Texas State and later opened her own company. While volunteering in the women's prison ministry, Joye recognized the importance of reaching all children, not just her own, with God's Word. She began writing soon after. Growing up in a large family that believed children made the world go around provided her with stacks of stories to share. Joye and Douglas have a large family where the children remain the center of attention and continue creating their own stories.
"A Willing Spirit to obey"
"My Little David"
Awarded the Christian Literary Award
"Henri Award" Dallas, Texas April 6, 2024
Joye's Acceptance Speech
It’s an honor and a privilege to be with this group of talented, believing authors. I know God is with us tonight. I feel as if we are standing on holy ground—but keep your shoes on.
I wonder if the prophets or disciples of the Bible are present. From Moses to John, the people of God answered His call to record His word. I’m not comparing us to the prophets or disciples, but we all know God puts it on our hearts to write.
As writers, we understand the importance of what God has called us to do. Our books are more than sources of information, entertainment, or knowledge. They present God’s truth to the world.
While volunteering in the women’s prison ministry, God spoke to my heart about the importance of reaching children. If we could teach young people how valuable they are to God and recognize their identity in Christ, we could considerably reduce the prison population.
In my first book, If Only Donkeys Could Talk, I tried to inspire children to look to the Bible for answers. My second book, The Desire of Sarah’s Heart, teaches children they can delight in the Lord as they learn obedience. My Little David bundles several Bible lessons—mostly about love—then wraps them in a ball of fun and shenanigans.
I was thrilled and thankful to be nominated but receiving a “Henri Award” is a dream come true. Thank you to all who voted, plus a special thank you to my critique group, and Joy and Company—Joye without and an "e".
Radio Women for Jesus
