Obit of Everhart, Joyce Marie - Rogers County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 15 Apr 2007 Return to Rogers County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/rogers/rogers.htm ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::Green Acres FH--Scottsdale AZ Joyce Marie Everhart Joyce Marie Everhart Our beautiful Mother and Grandmother, Joyce Everhart, passed away September 12, 2006. Lovingly referred to as "Mom" or "Grandma", Joyce was born in Granite City, Illinois, one of two children. She grew up on a farm in Claremore, Oklahoma, with her sister Aline. During the Depression, her parents moved to Phillips, Texas, where her dad got a job with Phillips Petroleum Company. Joyce graduated from Phillips High School in 1942, and attended Texas State Christian Women's University in Denton, Texas. During the summer of 1945, while working at the candy counter in McClellan's 5 & 10 Cent Variety Store in Borger, Texas, Joyce met a handsome, young Navy officer on leave from the war. This young man, Marion E. Everhart, soon became the love of her life. They married at her home in Phillips, Texas, on August 18, 1945. Joyce traveled with Marion, living for a while in New York City. After the war, they moved to Knox City, Texas where their first child, a daughter named Susan, was born, followed four years later by a son, David. After relocating to Big Spring, Texas, another daughter, Kathy, was born on Joyce's birthday, March 8th. The family moved to Amarillo, Texas, where Joyce completed her college degree at West Texas State College, graduating with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. She later became an elementary school teacher at Ridgecrest Elementary School, where she taught for many years. In 1966, the whole family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where Marion became a private appraiser. "Joycie", as Marion referred to Mom, worked with dad and was his constant companion until he passed away in 2004. Like her mother, Joyce became an accomplished cook, gifted seamstress, and an artistic flower arranger. She was an impressive painter and an outstanding entertainer. Mom never forgot a birthday and decorated her home at every holiday. She always had a wonderful dinner table complete with fabulous food she prepared herself. Her family could always count on Mom for guidance, friendship, and unconditional support. She tirelessly gave of herself, filling her family and friends' lives with the beauty and elegance of her presence. We are forever grateful for her love and graciousness. She instilled in us a deep faith in God, and by example taught us kindness, compassion, and pride in ourselves. We especially enjoyed her melodic singing voice and marveled at her ability to harmonize on any song. She was a "hands-on" mother who took her children to church, read to them from the Bible, and sang beside them at the services. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family. She especially loved being with her grandchildren. Joyce was looking forward with great anticipation to the upcoming wedding of her youngest granddaughter, Diane (fiance Dave Lockard), when the Lord called her home. We will miss the sparkle in her eyes, the warmth of her smile, and the gentleness of her voice. Her beautiful, loving spirit will live in each of our hearts forever. Our beloved Mother (and Grandmother) was a gift from God and she will always be in our thoughts and prayers. Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marion E. Everhart. She is survived by her sister, Aline Dickinson, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. All of her children and grandchildren are currently living in the Phoenix area: Susan Law, daughter Allison; David Everhart (Toni), daughters Lisa and Diane; and Kathy Lattimore (John), son Joshua and daughter Ashleigh. A "Celebration of Life" service will be held Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at Green Acres Chapel of Light, 401 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale at 9:30 A.M. Visitation will be Monday evening, September 18th, from 6-8:00 P.M. in the Green Acres Mortuary. Dignity Memorial Published in The Arizona Republic on 9/17/2006. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Rogers County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/rogers/rogers.htm