Joyce L Carson

Joyce Lee Carson, age 89, a longtime resident of Okmulgee, passed away on July 19, 2017 in her home surrounded by loving friends and family.

A new song was begun on November 9, 1927 when Joyce Lee White was born to loving parents, Latta W. White and Audrey White in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. After the first verse of her life, she carried a tune in her heart to teach music to others. She graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee in 1949 with a degree as a grade school Music Teacher. The melody played on and while attending OBU, she met and married her sweetheart and co-writer to the lyrics of her life, Carly F. Carson on June 5, 1949 in the First Baptist Church of Okmulgee. After graduating college Carly and Joyce came back to Okmulgee to start their lives and make beautiful music. Together they created their three boys, Stephen, David and Daniel. With their passion for kids and music in mind, she combined the two and began to share her gifts and talents to many. Carly went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company and on the weekends, together they directed the Second Baptist and then Southside Baptist Music and Youth Program for 25 years. Also, in 1951 Joyce joined the Wednesday Morning Music Club and has remained a member until her passing. Carly and Joyce entertained many local clubs, groups and even entertained at birthday celebrations. He would play the piano and they would both sing the songs of days passed. Her love of music encompassed many parts of her life. Later on, she discovered a passion for traveling and discovering new sights, sounds and exciting experiences all over the globe.

During their life together, they travelled to most of the European Countries, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland and then journeyed to China, Japan, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and other parts of Africa. They also traveled to Canada, made eight trips to Mexico, went on six cruises, one of which was to Alaska and then to several Islands in the Caribbean. When they weren’t off traveling the four corners of the world, they were trekking across the US, visiting almost all 50 states and making wonderful memories closer to home. They documented all of their travels and have over 1,000 hours of video under their belt. As they moved on to the twilight of their lives and couldn’t actually travel anymore, Carly improvised by inventing a game they called Arm Chair Traveling. They got to go on their adventures in their PJ’s and relive them all from the comfort of their favorite chairs.

On June the 5th of this year, Carly and Joyce celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. After a lifetime of making beautiful music together, the ballad of Joyce’s life ended on, July 19, 2017.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, William “Bill” White. She leaves to cherish her memory and melodies of life, her husband Carly F. Carson, sons, Stephen Dale Carson, David Neal Carson (wife Margaret Ann Mason) and Daniel Lee Carson; her older sister Jean Enlow, three grandchildren, Drew Nathaniel Carson (wife Sabrena Carson), Carli Paige Carson and Mitchell Adam Carson (wife Nicole McFadden); seven great grandchildren, Drew Carson Jr. (DJ), Jada Carson, Jazmin Carson, Isaiah Carson, Cassidy McFadden, Evan McFadden, and Zyler Carson.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm, Friday, July 21, 2017, at Schaudt’s Chapel, 220 S. Alabama, Okmulgee. Funeral Service will be 11:00am, July 22, 2017, at the First Baptist Church, Okmulgee. Meal will follow after the service. Interment will be at the Okmulgee Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Schaudt Funeral Service of Okmulgee. Tributes and Condolences may be left at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com