Joy Marion Sivley

Joy Marion Sivley surrendered her life to a brain tumor at Ascension St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 15, 2022. Prior to her death, she had been a resident at Beare Manor Nursing Home in Hartshorne, Oklahoma since October 2018. Although she had dementia, it never curtailed her enthusiasm for serving others and interjecting humor into any situation. Everyone that knew her agreed that she was appropriately named “Joy” for that is exactly what she contributed to any situation. As a result of a lifelong career as an LVN, CST (Certified Surgical Technician) in the operating room at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas, she believed she was there to help everyone else. Each morning she “made her rounds” to all the other residents’ rooms to check on each one of them. In addition, she kept the nurses and staff in “stitches” with her humor. They all agree that her absence has created a “void” that no one else will ever fill.

Joy was born October 18, 1938 to Earl and Effie Loveless in Hartshorne, Oklahoma. Her family moved to Odessa, Texas in the 1940’s. In 1954, Joy married George H. Keese. She gave birth to their daughter, Joyce Deeann Keese on August 22, 1956. Sadly, Deeann died on April 21, 1960 of an inoperable brain tumor. Joy and Mr. Keese were divorced in 1962. She married James D. Sivley on June 12, 1966 and they were married until his death in 1973.

Joy received her Licensed Vocation Nurse (LVN) degree on June 30, 1961 and began her 41-year career in the Operating Room at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa. In 1974, she became accredited by the American Association of Operating Room Technicians. During her tenure with MCH, she took numerous courses at Texas Tech, Odessa College and MCH. She was a member of the Southwest Transplant Alliance from 1988-1998. Joy became the liaison for the families of potential organ donors and the Alliance for the recipients. Last but not least, she also taught classes and Odessa College for several years.

She loved her chosen vocation and poured all the love, affection and joy she had into it thereby benefitting both the hospital, the staff and most importantly, the patients.

Joy is survived by her sister, Dorotha Suter of Warrenton, MO along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James D. Sivley; daughter, Joyce Deeann Keese; brothers, Jesse Loveless and J.G. Loveless; sister, Geneva Poyner; niece, Lisa Loveless Smith; and nephew, Steve Poyner.

A graveside service for Joy will be held Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa with Rev. Mark Alexander officiating.