Joyce Hodges Brown

The life of Joyce Maxine Hodges Brown will be lovingly remembered and celebrated at Vamoosa Cemetery on Saturday, July 7 ^th at 10:00, Rev. Tony Folger officiating.

Joyce Brown departed this earth for her heavenly home on Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at The Baptist Village in Oklahoma City at the age of 85 years and two months. Joyce was born April 27, 1933, in Scipio, OK, to Luther Martin Hodges, Jr. and Earl Mae Jones Hodges. She and her family moved to Ahloso when she was two years old. Ahloso is also where Joyce attended Elementary School and from there she attended Stonewall High School. Joyce and Phillip Ray Brown were married on July 16, 1949.

Always a hard worker, Joyce worked as a waitress at the Liberty and City cafes in Ada while attending East Central University at night. She did general office work for Parker Home Supply and worked several years as secretary of the Ada Guidance Center before taking a job with the Headstart Program of Pontotoc County. In 1967, she moved to Drexel, MO, and returned to college at Penn Valley Junior College earning an Associate's Degree in Applied Science. Upon graduation, she was employed by St. Joseph and Research Hospitals, and was certified in Respiratory Therapy after completion of training at Menorah Medical Center in Kansas City, MO.

In 1980, Joyce returned to Ada to take the position of Respiratory Therapy Department Head at Carl Albert Indian Hospital. Due to health issues, Joyce retired her position at Carl Albert in 1985.

Joyce was a member of the First Christian Church in Ada.

Genealogy was a special interest for Joyce, having traced her family's roots to the 1700s which lead her to become a member of the Pontotoc County Genealogical and Historical Society. Spending time with her kids and grandkids was her greatest joy, whether it was a trip to the Nature Center in Sulphur or watching them play a ballgame.

Survivors include her son, Ronnie Brown and wife Jill of Ada; daughter, Phyllis Hocker and husband Larry of Overland Park, KS; daughter, Linda Ronck and husband Doug of Mustang, OK. Joyce's grandchildren are Tonya Suschnick and husband Todd of Liberal, MO; Luke Hocker of Overland Park, KS; Russell and Rachel Brown of Ada. Her great-grandchildren are Caleb and Cody Suschnick of Liberal, MO; Bella Hocker of Overland Park, KS; and Jaiden Epperson of Mustang, OK.

Joyce was blessed with loving nieces and nephews: Gloria and Ken Jackson, Ellen and Lee Glaze, Mike and Debbie Flowers, Jimmie Gentry, and Irvin Hodges.

Special friends of Joyce's are Paula Hodges, Sue Bell, James Treas, Russell Futischa, Norma Jones, and Holly Glasscock.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Louise Hensley, Florence Imojean Flowers Freeman, Monroe Martin Hodges, and great grandson Zane Mathew Hocker.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Good Shepherd Hospice of Yukon, OK, and Baptist Retirement Village Nursing Home staff for the love and special attention shown to Joyce throughout her sojourn home.