Joy Wray Marcum

Joy Gay Wray Marcum, was born on Wednesday, February 21, 1934, the first of Albert & Eldie Wray’s four children. Joy lived a Christ-filled life that spread forth over ninety-two years. A wonderous child, playfully but dedicated girl, beautiful woman, loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother until the evening hours of Thursday, May 14th, 2026, when she passed without regret into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, her husband, Bill, her parents, a brother, and a sister.

Joy’s early years were spent growing up in Cyril, Oklahoma, during the Great Depression and World War II. Graduating Valedictorian from Cyril High School in the spring of 1951, then falling in love and marrying her husband Bill in 1952.

Joy worked hard to put Bill through the Petroleum Engineering Program at the University of Oklahoma. After Bill’s graduation from the University of Oklahoma in 1954, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, where Joy took on the role of a Captain’s wife and expectant mother. Joy and Bill welcomed the birth of their first daughter, Karen, in 1956 while serving at Tyndall Air Force Base. While Bill continued his service in Canada, Joy managed their household and her newfound motherhood from Cyril's support, supported by her mother, father, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. Bill later served in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, and ultimately retired from military service in 1958.

After serving, Bill began his professional career with the Mobil Oil Corporation in Midland, Tx, where Joy and Bill joined the First Baptist Church of Midland and soon welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Susan, in 1959. As a petroleum engineer for Mobil, Joy, Bill, and the girls traveled the world extensively. Joy and Bill retired from Mobil back home in Midland in 1987.

Managing households in Midland, Libya, Dallas, London, New York, New Orleans included buying, selling, leasing, and moving in and out of several interesting homes. A daunting task for anyone, but no real challenge for a Valedictorian from Cyril. In addition to the moves Joy poured herself into raising her girls, instructing them first in their spiritual lives, their educations, and ultimately honing their character and values. The fruits of Joy’s efforts are borne out through the families sitting around you today. Her faith and love bear witness to the men, women, and beautiful children who called her mom, gamma, and great gamma.

Joy was a kind, attentive, and loving woman. A model of spiritual contentment born through a lifetime of hard work, dedication, and devotion to her Lord, her husband, and her daughters. Having only ever run a tight ship for her family, Joy lives on and is immortalized through the legacy of the lives of the women and men she leaves behind. In her last several years, Joy would spend all her time with Bill, forever caring for him as best she could. A beautiful girl with a bright smile, ever perched on a giggle, she will be greatly missed by her family and those who loved her.

Joy is survived by her brother Charlie Wray, wife Ellen of Yukon, OK, two daughters Karen Marcum Fisher and Susan Marcum Hicks of Dallas, TX., son-in-laws Bob Fisher and Marion Hicks of Dallas; grandchildren Christina Fisher Swanson, her husband Justin Swanson; MaryFrances Hicks; Katherine Fisher Kiter, her husband Matt Kiter, and Marcum Hicks. And, great-grandchildren Noah, Luke & Elise Swanson, Grayson & Elijah Kiter with Baby Sister on the way, Faye & Ozzy Cooke; nieces and nephews Kristy Kennah, Shannon Taylor, Kelly Wray, and Jennifer Taylor.