Joyce Gaye Phillips

There are people who seem to always be taking care of others. Through their actions, and oftentimes simply their presence, we feel seen, we know we are supported, and we are made to feel at home. Joyce Gaye Phillips was one of those rare people and though we are celebrating her life with her passing, she will be remembered for her love of others and for her commitment to her family. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, March 22, 2024. On April 2, 1935, Bessie and Conrad Morton welcomed Joyce and her twin brother Charles Ray into their family. Born in Antioch, Oklahoma, Joyce was part of a house-full of siblings. She often spoke of her five brothers and sister and the mischief they would find while working their chores on the farm. Joyce attended Cottonwood School House as a girl and ultimately graduated from Maysville High School in 1953. She was class queen, Football Queen candidate, and held many class and student council offices, despite being quiet and shy as a girl. Joyce had many friends as a teenager, but family was always her first priority.

Joyce started her own family when she married Kenneth Phillips on April 11, 1958. Throughout their brief courtship and into the early years of their marriage, the two enjoyed square dancing, camping, and fishing together. In 1959, Joyce became a mother with the birth of her daughter Phyllis Gaye. Their son Michael Keith joined the family in 1962, and with that their family was complete. Joyce always took great pride in her children’s accomplishments and has since played an irreplaceable role in the lives of her six grandchildren. Her support for her family was undeniable as there was never a ball game, concert, stock show, golf tournament, awards ceremony, competition, or graduation left unattended.

The work ethic Joyce learned as a child carried on throughout her life. After finishing cosmetology school, she worked as a beautician for 17 years, spending long days on her feet, before making the decision to retire in 1975. Never being one to sit around for long, she decided to go back to work. Joyce found a position as a laboratory technician at Kerr-McGee in Wynnewood, working in the machine maintenance and instrument departments, where she stayed for 27 years. Then later in her retirement, she worked in the fabrics, jewelry and pharmacy departments at the Lindsey Wal-Mart. It’s fair to say Joyce was not the best at retiring.

When she wasn’t working, Joyce was a caregiver to so many people. In addition to raising her own family, she cared for her parents, her brothers, her in-laws, and her aunt throughout their illnesses. She even traveled to Mississippi for several months to support her aunt Opal in her final months of life. Joyce spent evenings, weekends, and summers watching over at least one of her six grandkids and countless of their friends. She tried to teach them to bake and always gave them a soft place to land throughout whatever stage they were in life.

Joyce will be remembered for a number of reasons, but many people in Maysville will tell you about her cooking. She made countless birthday cakes, legendary cinnamon rolls, and pies that can’t be replicated by anyone but maybe Phyllis. Holidays were filled with tradition in her house, mostly due to the amazing food and double-digit desserts she would prepare for her family. She created a home for her now very large family and her traditions will be carried for generations to come.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Kenneth Keith Phillips; grandson, Cameron Phillips; parents, Conrad and Bessie Morton; siblings, J.B., Raymond, James (Wiggles), and Charles Morton; and sister, Doris Albright.

She is survived by her daughter, Phyllis and husband, David Stinnett of Maysville; son, Michael Phillips of Maysville; grandchildren, Alissa Stinnett and husband, Chad Thompson of Kansas City, Brandon and wife, May Stinnett of Stillwater, ODella and husband, Brandon Keith of Lindsay, Keitha and husband, Alfred White of Lindsay, and Kaleigh Stinnett of Kansas City.

She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Henry and Caden Stinnett-Zerr, Taylor and Lillian Thompson, Katherine and Stella Moyer, Ava and Ella Keith, Gambit, Graylee, Kage and Creed White. Joyce was also very excited to welcome two additional greatgrand babies in May and September.

Funeral Services were held Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Abundant Love Fellowship in Maysville, Oklahoma. Burial followed at the Antioch Cemetery under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home, Maysville, Oklahoma. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at: www.winansfuneralhome.com.