Joyce Stockton

Obituary of Joyce Stockton Services for Joyce J. Stockton, 96, will be held at Kiesau-Lee Chapel, Clinton OK, on October 19, 2020. Burial will be at the Clinton Cemetery. Joyce was born on June 30, 1924 to Miles and Winnie (Bray) Smith at Atoka OK and went home to her blessed savior on Oct. 15, 2020. The family moved to Butler, OK in 1926. Miles was a share-cropper and worked for several area farmers in the Butler-Arapaho area through the depression and dust bowl years. In their high school years, Joyce and three of her sisters worked at the Arapaho switchboard, which was in the Teels’ home and paid $8 a month, which made it possible for the four girls to complete their high school education during the depression. And each sister moved on to SW Bell in Clinton after high school. Joyce married Charles M. Stockton in Dec. 1941 and moved to the family farm west of Clinton. She worked beside her husband on the farm and later worked as an operator at the Clinton Sherman PBX, as a dental assistant for Dr. Jackson and as a grocery checker for IGA and Safeway. Joyce was saved and baptized at age 10 at a tent revival. Desiring more than surface Christianity, she realized the fullness of her spiritual life in 1971 and became a radical Christian, sharing her faith at every opportunity. She and Charles helped start two churches and held weekly Bible studies at their farm home west of Clinton. She was continually studying the Bible and looking for a chance to share. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (1984), two infant sons, her sisters Velma, Alma and Jeanne, an infant grandson and grandson Zack Stockton, age 5. She is survived by her son, Roger and wife Lisa of Casper, WY; granddaughters Jennifer Stockton, Norfolk VA; and Jessica and husband Doug Leatham; and two great grandchildren, Sean and Rory Leatham of Newport News VA. She is also survived by her sister Wanda and Jack Stone, Jenks OK; and brother, Melvin (Pete) Smith and wife Dorothy, Whitewater KS, and numerous nieces and nephews. Those wishing to make contributions are urged to support their local church.