Joyce Ellis Findley

She was their third child, preceded by brothers Calvin and Robert. Stachia later married J. Orville Bumpus when Joyce was 12 years old. Orville was a beloved father to Joyce and her two older brothers. Orville and Stachia added sister Karan to the ranks a few years later.

Orville was the high school principal in Oilton, Oklahoma. Joyce was one of his students, always active and full of fun. Orville told the story that one day during lunch, some kids were creating a disturbance by climbing to the roof of the school and yelling at students below. Upon checking, Orville was exasperated to learn that his own daughter, Joyce, seemed to be a ringleader of the whole matter.

Joyce started college at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. While there, she worked part-time at The Baptist printing press. When that operation moved to Oklahoma City, she decided to transfer to Oklahoma A&M where she graduated with a degree in Math Education. The year she graduated, her degree could read either Oklahoma A&M or Oklahoma State University. The only catch was that to get one marked OSU cost $5.00 extra. Joyce didn’t have five extra dollars, so her degree read Oklahoma A&M.

Joyce began her teaching career in Fredonia, Kansas, teaching high school math. Don Findley worked in Fredonia and frequently ate breakfast at a small diner. One day, one of the waitresses told Don, “Wait ‘til you see the new math teacher. She’s a knockout!” They did meet over breakfast at that diner and soon started dating.

When School was out for the year, Joyce decided to return to Oklahoma State to work on a Master’s degree. Don seemed to be spending more time in Stillwater than on his job in Fredonia. One sunny afternoon, while on a picnic at Lake Carl Blackwell, Don asked Joyce to marry him. They were married on July 4, 1958, in the Methodist church in Fredonia. Later they had two daughters, Stacia and Erin. Joyce took a few years off while her daughters were small but later returned to the classroom.

Joyce loved to teach math. She had a unique teaching style that was able to reach and challenge students at all levels. When Don’s career transferred them to Richardson, Texas, she continued her passion by teaching high school math in Richardson. Later, Don decided to take a job with Dolese Brothers in Oklahoma City. The family moved to Edmond and Joyce impacted and challenged a multitude of students at Edmond, Heritage Hall, and finally at Oklahoma Christian School.

Joyce finally had to step away from teaching due to severe health issues. However, she was able to hold “math camp” for her grandchildren and continually challenge them with math puzzles. She also volunteered at a center for Adult Education helping adults obtain their GED. For the final seven years of her life, Joyce and Don have lived at Bradford Village in Edmond. They were members of First Baptist Church in Edmond throughout their time in Edmond. Joyce and Don were married for 64 years. She peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 15th, 2023.

Joyce is survived by her loving husband, Charles “Don” Findley, sister Karan (Bumpus) McDonald and husband Joe of Edmond; two daughters, Stacia (Findley) Kliewer and husband Greg of Edmond, daughter Erin (Findley) Gilbert of Florence, Alabama and Steve of Bristow, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Kristen Joyce (Kliewer) Baird and husband James of Edmond, Kaitlin (Kliewer) Radford and husband Griffin of Edmond, Caleb Findley Kliewer and wife Ashton (Ramer) of Jones; Eric Findley Gilbert and wife Katlyn (Ford) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Scott Franklin Gilbert of Dallas, Texas and Mary Ellis Gilbert of Paris, Texas; 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and both brothers, Robert Ellis and Calvin Ellis.

A private family graveside service for Joyce will be held Friday, April 21, 2023 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 13400 N. Kelley Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73131.

Joyce will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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