Joyce (Brown) Wilson

Velma Joyce (Brown) Wilson, daughter of Herbert and Edna (Hibbs) Brown, was born on September 18th, 1925 in Braggs, OK. She departed this life on November 23rd, 2022 at the age of 97 years, 2 months and 5 days. Joyce graduated from Kansas High School in 1944. After graduation, she went to work at McDonald Douglas in Tulsa, OK, riveting windshields on military aircraft. After a short time at the factory, Joyce and her sister-in-law made a trip to California to visit her brothers serving in the Navy. Upon returning to Oklahoma in 1945, Joyce met the love of her life, Willard Wilson, who would become her husband on December 7th, 1947. Ten months later, their first son arrived, followed shortly with three more boys. There was a five year pause followed by two more boys. After years of being a stay at home mom, Joyce went to work in the early 70’s at various factories in Siloam Springs, AR. She then moved to Gates Rubber Company and retired from there in 1988. Joyce loved working in her garden and flower beds. She mowed her large yard with a zero turn mower until this past summer. Joyce was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Willard, her brothers U.L. and Jesse Brown, one grandson Ken Wilson and one great grandson, Drannon Wilson.

Joyce is survived by her sons, Eric and wife Glenda Wilson of Kansas, OK, Bill Wilson of Tahlequah, Curtis Wilson of Flint, OK, Alan Wilson and wife Loretta of Kansas, OK, Karl Wilson and wife Susan of Great Bend, KS, and Mike Wilson and wife Johanna of Tahlequah, OK. She leaves 15 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Lowery Freewill Baptist Church in Delaware County, OK. She will be laid to rest next to Willard at 2:30 PM at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Ft. Gibson, OK. Pallbearers for Joyce include Eric Wilson, Bill Wilson, Curtis Wilson, Alan Wilson, Karl Wilson and Mike Wilson.

Her family will receive guests at her visitation on Thursday, December 1st, 2022 beginning at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home at 117 W. Delaware in Tahlequah, OK.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Wilson family.