Joyce Lynn Johnson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joyce Lynn Johnson passed away September 10, 2021, in Muskogee, OK, at the age of 72 years. Born June 20, 1949, to Laura Propp and Jack Johnson, Joyce was a member of First United Methodist Church of Muskogee where she served in the children’s department most of her life. Church members of all ages cherish memories of Joyce helping with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and many other activities. She also collected Sunday School attendance records for the church office on Sundays for many years. Joyce worked at INCOR in Muskogee from March 2008 till she retired in May 2018. She enjoyed her work at INCOR, but especially enjoyed the parties, trips, camp-outs and fun with friends. Joyce is survived by her sister-in-law Alison Johnson, her niece Julia Johnson (both of California), Aunt Dixie (Ms. Rev. Milton Propp), and cousins and their families Diane Zack, Pat Allerding, John Propp, James Propp, Erika Lloyd, Rocky Loar, Dr. Michael Loar, Dr. Andy Loar, Fredericka Christ, David Propp, Wren Propp, Melissa McCarthy, Eilleen Richerson, Toni Tatum, Jim Johnson, Alfred Johnson and Virginia Burczyk, her Dacshund/Corgi mix dog, Cricket and many friends. She always had a story about her “wiener dog” and enjoyed the companionship of several dachshunds throughout her life. Preceding Joyce in death were her mother, Laura Beatrice (Propp) Johnson; her brother, Dr. Richard L. Johnson, MD; her father, Harry Frederick “Jack” Johnson, aunts Maxine Propp Luton, Betty Ann Propp Loar and uncles James Propp, Robert Propp, Milton Propp and Alfred R. Johnson. Joyce’s mother did a fabulous job teaching Joyce life skills that enabled her to live independently for 20 years after her mother passed away, with the help of her guardian and special friend, Leigh Ann (Ross) Matthews. The Matthews family, Leigh Ann and husband Scott, Lindsey (Matthews) Ison and family, Ben Matthews as well as the many extended family members included and embraced Joyce in their family. She loved their large family gatherings, playing games, holiday fun, swimming, camping, fishing and birthday celebrations with her “new” family. Joyce loved to travel and in recent years visited zoos in St. Louis, MO; Kansas City, KS; Wichita, KS; and Memphis, TN; with her cousin Erika. They visited uncles, aunts and cousins in Odessa, TX and Albuquerque, NM; and toured Graceland while in Memphis. Before her mother’s death, she traveled to Panama, Hawaii, and to Santa Fe, NM for her brother’s wedding. She later went to California to visit her brother and his family and they all went to Disneyland. She loved to go places – anytime, anywhere. Over the years Joyce had many special friends who included her in family vacations and other activities. She particularly enjoyed trips to OU Sooner football games with the late Ray Broyles and his family. The Broyles also invited her on trips to the horse races, Florida, Las Vegas and birthday dinners in Tulsa. Other special friends who included her in their activities were Debbie Edwards, the late Marvalene “Spooky” Borovetz and daughter K.B., and the late Melanie (Scott) Thompson. Joyce was Special Olympics athlete, collecting medals and ribbons from the beginning of the program in Oklahoma until 2019, which was her last year to compete due to knee replacement surgery and the pandemic. She bowled every Saturday morning with her local group, SNAP (Special Needs Adult Program), and enjoyed picnics, parties and other activities with her SNAP friends, including longtime friends, Barbara Kidd, Carol Bennet Battenfield, K.B. Borovetz, coach Beverly Byrd Rodgers, and an amazing crew of volunteers. She traveled to Stillwater, Norman and Oklahoma City with the group to compete in the State Special Olympics events. She also attended Muskogee’s Camp Bennett every summer and looked forward to activities and fun with friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church Children’s Department, Muskogee, OK; Special Olympics of Oklahoma; and the American Cancer Society. Because of the ongoing threat of Covid-19, friends are encouraged to attend the service online via Facebook live at First United Methodist Church Muskogee rather than attend in person. Those who choose to attend will be encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing. The Facebook live feed will be available for several days after the service. A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00PM Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at First United Methodist Church in Muskogee, with Chaplain Cindy Culver officiating. The family of Joyce Lynn Johnson has entrusted her care, cremation and services to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home, Fort Gibson. 918-478-2555. Online condolences may be left at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Joyce Lynn Johnson

June 20, 1949 - September 10, 2021