NANCY JOE DYER

Dr. Nancy Joe Dyer, 80, of Navasota, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 5, surrounded by family. Nancy Joe was born on April 15, 1942 in Navasota, Texas to Onis and Josephine (Greenwood) Dyer. A lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Navasota, where she served as an elder and Sunday School teacher for many years, Nancy Joe’s faith remained central to her throughout her life. She was a professor, a scholar, and a mentor who positively impacted countless people during her rich life.

Nancy Joe was a vivacious woman who enjoyed gourmet cooking and gardening. She loved music and dancing, and in her youth worked as the pianist and organist for the First Presbyterian Church of Juarez, Mexico. Many hours of her final months were spent listening to hymns. She was a voracious traveler who journeyed the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain 12 times and lectured all over the world on her areas of expertise. She was also an active member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and proud of her status as a 6th generation Texan.

Nancy Joe had a lifelong love of the pursuit of knowledge. After graduating from El Paso High School in 1960, she attended Texas Tech University where she majored in Spanish and English and graduated in the class of 1964. She then earned her Master’s in Spanish, Romance Philology and Linguistics from Tulane University in 1968. In 1975, Nancy Joe completed her PhD in Spanish, Romance Philology and Linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania. While at Texas Tech, Nancy Joe was an active member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. She loved her sorority and remained involved throughout her life, serving on the Alumni Advisory Committee at Texas A&M University and as academic adviser to the active members for many years.

Nancy Joe was a professor at Texas A&M University from 1977 until her retirement in 2010. She was awarded a Distinguished Achievement in Teaching award in 1994. During her tenure at Texas A&M, she also served as the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts for 5 years.

She is the author of dozens of publications including the 1995 book, El Mio Cid en el taller alfonsí, considered a seminal work on the topic. During her career, she also taught at UCLA, The University of Texas, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Houston Victoria Center.

Nancy Joe was married to Steven Murray Hodge on June 18, 1977 at the First Presbyterian Church of Navasota and they remained happily married. They raised two daughters together and delighted in their grandchildren. Nancy Joe and Steve lived a rich life together, and in retirement continued their adventures by volunteering annually as “stagehands” at Austin’s South by Southwest music festival, as well as traveling and backpacking around the world.

She is survived by her loving husband Steven Hodge; her daughters, Josephine Schweiloch (Harrison) and Mary Priscilla Garcia (Chris); her grandchildren, Isaac Garcia, Gideon Garcia,Louella Schweiloch, and Zadie Schweiloch; and her sister, Priscilla Jane Otto (Donald). She was preceded in death by her mother Josephine Greenwood Dyer, her father Onis Elbert Dyer, and her granddaughter Eleanor Jane Schweiloch.

Visitation with family and friends was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, at

Nobles Funeral Chapel. A celebration of her life began at 11:00 a.m Thursday, July 7, also at the funeral home, with interment following in Oakland Cemetery. Rev. Matt Morse officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.

If desired, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to First Presbyterian Church, Navasota, Texas.

You are invited to leave kind words and fond memories at www.noblesfuneral.com