Joyce Lee Tolbert

Joyce Lee (Fryar) Tolbert, 84, of Fort Gibson was born November 15, 1938, in Braggs to Vance and Vivian (McGuire) Fryar and peacefully passed away Sunday, October 22, 2023, in Muskogee with her loving family by her side. She worked as a hairdresser at Palmers Beauty Salon in Muskogee before opening her own salon and growing her business to expand to a larger salon in Ft. Gibson. Joyce was able to do the job she loved from 1961 to 2005 before retiring. Joyce enjoyed cooking dinners for her family and friends, sending out cards, helping others when they were in need, working in her yard, doing ceramics, watching sports and always giving encouraging words to others. Joyce and Lyle are longtime members of the Fort Gibson Church of Christ where they spent many hours volunteering and giving to the community. The family jokes that there isn’t anyone in the community that she hasn’t cooked for, sent an encouraging card to, or styled their hair. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Seth Seward; brother’s, Gene Fryar, Quanah Fryar, and Gary Fryar; sisters, Barbara Ellis, and Darlene Ford. She is lovingly survived by her husband, Lyle of the home; son, David Huggins and wife Christy of Fort Gibson; daughters, Susan Seward and husband, Johnny of Fort Gibson, Lisa Nichols and husband, Rick of Broken Arrow; grandchildren, Lauren Johnson and husband, Jordan of Fort Gibson, Brooke Kidd and husband, Brian of Tulsa, Caleb Will Seward and wife, Cortni of Muskogee, Conner Nichols and wife, Haley of Coweta, Jon Huggins and wife, Kelsey, Chris Huggins, and James Huggins all of Sacramento, CA and Chase Nichols of 29 Palms, CA; 8 great grandchildren; extended family and many friends. A visitation with family receiving friends 5PM-7PM Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Muskogee. A celebration of Joyce’s life will be 1PM Friday, October 27, 2023, at Fort Gibson Church of Christ with Minister Dan Rouse officiating. Committal prayers and interment will follow at Citizens Cemetery in Fort Gibson. Will Seward, Conner Nichols, Jon Huggins, Chris Huggins, James Huggins, and Richard Nichols serving as casket bearers. Chase Nichols, Don Ford, Paul Rainbolt and Gerald Walkingstick will serve as honorary casket bearers. The family of Joyce Lee Tolbert has entrusted her care, service and burial to Cliff and Carmen Garrett and Staff at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 1020 West Okmulgee Ave. Muskogee, OK 74401. 918-910-8883. Online condolences may be left for the Tolbert family at clifforddgarrettfh.com.

Joyce Lee Tolbert

November 15, 1938 - October 22, 2023