Loyce Van Hook

Loyce Michel Van Hook passed away Friday September 18, 2020 after a year-long battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving husband of 39 years, Kyle Van Hook, and her immediate family. Loyce was born on February 3, 1958 in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Scarborough High School in 1976 where she was a cheerleader. Subsequently, she attended Sam Houston State University, graduating with a degree in Education in 1980. Loyce was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She started her teaching career in the fall of 1980 at St. Pius High School in Houston, where the math teacher fell in love with the head baseball coach, marrying Kyle in 1981. Later she taught at Cook Junior High School and Brenham Junior High School from 1984 to 2012, with an interlude as a stay-at-home mom from 1990-2001. Her skill at teaching was recognized by her peers when she was voted Teacher of the Year at Brenham Junior High School in 2007 – a reflection of her deep passion and dedication to education. Prior to retirement in 2020, she served as a Math Curriculum Specialist for Brenham Independent School District starting in 2012.

Everyone that knew Loyce was taken by her creativity and sense of style as shown through the beautiful and clever way she staged and decorated her house. This was spurred by a love of ‘antinque’ing’ in Round Top and Canton and exploring at garage sales. Loyce’s loves also included cross-stitching, gardening, and playing Scrabble with her best friend, Donna Putnam. She took special joy as a coach’s wife and mother, watching her husband, son, Clay, and son-in-law, Scott, coaching baseball and her daughter, Olivia, coaching softball. She passed along her many years of experience and passion in teaching by helping her daughter, Vanessa, with her journey into education. She especially loved spending time with her kids and had the thrill to be ‘Loosie’ to four wonderful grandkids. She was an active member of Champion Fellowship in Brenham.

Most importantly, Loyce was a follower of Jesus, with a faith that was sincere, refreshing, and unwavering. In the face of the cancer that claimed her, she did not fear death but remained steadfast in her assurance of eternal life with Jesus. Her love of family and faith in Christ leaves a legacy to her kids and grandkids and generations to come. If there was ever a person who could say, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”, it was Loyce.

Loyce was preceded in death by her parents, Vince and Marlene Michel. She is survived by her husband, Kyle Van Hook; son Clay and wife Selina, daughter Vanessa Shepperd and husband Scott; daughter, Olivia; grandchildren Avery, Marlee, Briscoe, and Tripp; sister Lori Bajoie and husband Byron; brother Vince Michel and wife Paige; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020, from 2-5 p.m. at Champion Fellowship, 1801 S. Market St., Brenham, Texas 77833.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 302 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, Texas 77833 (www.hospicebrazosvalley.org) or Champion Fellowship (www.championfellowship.org).