Joyce Randolph

Joyce Marie (Gray) Randolph was born November 8, 1926 to R.D.Gray and Mattie (Heckart) Gray at the homestead in the Eva community just east of Keyes, OK.  She passed to be with the Lord on February 19, 2024 in Norman, OK. 

Joyce was raised in a little dugout house along with her two brothers and one sister, Ronald, Gene, and Shirley.  Joyce was 9 years old and in the 4th grade when the family loaded up an old truck and moved to Buffalo, OK.  The Gray children finished growing up in Buffalo, where they all graduated from high school, Joyce in 1944. Joyce attended Oklahoma A&M College (OSU) for 2 years. While in high school Joyce dated M.J. (Joe) Randolph. He was drafted in the middle of his junior year. He served in the Navy as a radioman. He was honorably discharged after 3 years of service and returned to Buffalo to finish his high school education.  Joyce continued corresponding with Joe while away at college.  They were married on Dec. 14, 1946 at Buffalo, OK.

In 1947, daughter Marilyn was born. The family moved to Pueblo, CO for Joe to attend telegraphy school.  He was hired by AT&SF Railroad in 1949.  Leroy was born in 1950 and shortly after the family was transferred to Boise City, OK, living next to the depot.  At that time, life-time friends were made and the families enjoyed many different activities together. Gary was born in 1953 and Coleen was born in 1957.

Joyce began working as grade school secretary in 1972 and retired in 1987, with 14 ½ years of service. Shortly after, she began selling Mary Kay.  The great grandkids would ask her why her skin was so soft and she would answer, because I use Mary Kay.

Joyce and Joe became Mema and Papo when their first grandchild was born. They followed their grandchildren throughout the state, and at all their events, while they grew up. They always welcomed friends of their children and grandchildren in their home and became Mema and Papo to all the kids and adults in town.

Joyce and Joe were active in the square dancing club, and church activities at St. Paul's Methodist Church, where they were members. Joyce enjoyed sewing and was a member of the Trail of Threads Quilt Club.  She enjoyed eating out with her friends and taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce is very proud of her family, including her 12 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. 

Joe passed away in 2006, the year they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  Joyce continued to enjoy her sewing and spending time with family.  She moved to Norman, OK in 2013 and lived until her death.  The family enjoyed spending many memorable moments with her. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Joe, her parents, R. D. and Mattie Gray, brothers Gene Gray and Ronald Gray, and sister Shirley Thompson. 

She is survived by her daughters Marilyn and Johnny Mayberry of Pauls Valley, OK, Coleen and Eddie Allen of Boise City, OK: two sons Leroy and Phyllis Randolph of Noble, OK, and Gary and Trish Randolph of Oklahoma City, OK, 12 grandchildren Melissa Edgar, Megan Delaplain, Philip Randolph, Nolan Randolph, Andrew Randolph, Michael Randolph, Angela Livingston, Ben Randolph, Ashley McAllister, Lori Stewart, Tami Kearns and Clay Crabtree, 28 great grandchildren Cooper, Karsyn, Maverick, Daxton, Jaxon, Kennedy, Weston, Calvin, Max, Madden, Jayden, Brooklyn, Catcher, Austin, Addison, Callaway, Charlie, Benjamin, Larza, Olive, Jase, Jordyn, Jett, Kayden, Ella, Noel, Ana and Jocelyn.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. and on Sunday February 25, 2024, from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M with Joyce’s loved ones receiving friends and family from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Henson~Novak Funeral Home in Boise City, Oklahoma.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Boise City, Oklahoma with Pastor Kim Mizer officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Joyce's name to St. Paul's Methodist Church in Boise City C/O Henson~Novak Funeral Directors P.O. Box 1306 Guymon, Oklahoma 73942

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