Joye Huddleston

Joye Faye (McCormick) Huddleston, 87, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother of Talihina, Oklahoma passed away from this life early Tuesday morning, July 2, 2024 in Talihina. Joye was born August 27, 1936 in Sardis, Oklahoma to Charlie and Bessie (James) McCormick and continued to live around that area all of her life. 

Joye and her husband of 64 years, Don, met, married, and raised their family in the same community. She loved this area and the people. She attended and graduated from Buffalo Valley Schools in 1955. Joye loved to play basketball while at Buffalo Valley and the coaches were thrilled to have her height on the team.

Joye was a true homemaker at heart. She loved taking care of her husband and family. Not only did she love and care for own family, but the many people that Don would “move in” in order to teach them to “Bull Dog”. She never complained about the many meals she would prepare or laundry she had to do. She truly had a servant’s heart!

Her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was such a great part of her life. She enjoyed going to church and being a part of a church family. Many fond memories of the early years attending Buffalo Valley Assembly of God with all the children, and then later at Talihina Assembly of God will be forever treasured.

Family meant everything to Joye. She worked hard over the years to instill this same trait in her children. She made sure they knew that “Family” is not always blood. Family comes from the heart, and she had a heart for people.

She proudly worked as a Pharmacy Technician for the Oklahoma Veterans Hospital in Talihina for several years. She so enjoyed meeting and getting to know everyone there. Some of Joye’s hobbies included gardening (but letting others weed it though), and taking care of her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. What a legacy she leaves behind. She will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her.

Those left to celebrate her beautiful life include her husband, Don, of the home; Daughter, Joni Grammar of Talihina, Oklahoma; Son, Greg Vanderwagen (Jeri) of Gallup, New Mexico; daughter, Gala Huddleston of Talihina, Oklahoma; son, Kevan Huddleston (Kathy) of Owasso, Oklahoma; seventeen grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Euel McCormick (Eva) of Plano, Texas; five sisters-in-law, Louise McCormick, Emma McCormick, Rena McCormick, Billie Huddleston, and Betty Huddleston; three special friends, Sally Litrell, Carolyn Elgin, and Alice Faye McPhearson; numerous nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Those who were waiting her heavenly arrival include her mom and dad, Charlie and Bessie McCormick; son-in-law, Bill Grammar; three brothers, Leon McCormick, Charles McCormick, and Jim McCormick; one sister, Helen Youngblood (J.B.), brothers-in-law, Doug Huddleston (Betty), Dale Huddleston, and Dennis Huddleston; sisters-in-law, Betty Northcut (Weldon), Ida Venable (Joe), Lois Haynes (Gene), Oda Lewis (Herbert); special friends, Tater and Jo Decker.

A visitation will be held on Friday evening, July 5, 2024 from 5PM to 7PM at the Yanush Assembly of God church. A time of celebration of Joye’s life and legacy will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 2PM at Yanush Assembly of God church with interment to immediately follow at Sardis cemetery. Grandson’s, Dustin Grammar and W.F. Grammar will have the honors of officiating their grandmother’s homegoing. Pallbearers will include Jeremy Grammar, John Carl Vanderwagen, Stetson Huddleston, Easton Grammar, Jakoda Grammar, Kevin Burch, Tom Lewis, Colt Linam, Alan Vanderwagen, and Bob Litrell. Honorary pallbearers will be Denim Grammar, Walker Woodall, Kale Linam, and Jake Huddleston.

Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home.