Betty Purdy

Betty "Joyce" Bryant Purdy was born in Watts, Oklahoma, on June 26, 1936, the daughter of William Matthew Bryant and Eloise (Wilkerson) Bryant. She departed this life on July 17, 2025, at the age of 89.

Graveside service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, September 12, 2025 at Tahlequah City Cemetery.

An only child, Joyce grew up on a farm where her parents nurtured her love of art and nature. After graduating from high school in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, so that Joyce could attend Northeastern State College. She earned a bachelor's degree in art history and a master's degree in education. While attending Northeastern, Joyce met Blake Purdy. They married on December 17, 1960, made Tahlequah their home and had two daughters. Joyce taught school for 28 years, retiring from Tahlequah Senior High School where she taught Art. She loved teaching and encouraging her students and was honored to be selected as Teacher of the Year in 1978. An accomplished artist in many mediums, Joyce was most passionate about creating beautiful paintings, still cherished by many, and sewing clothes for her girls including elaborate outfits for their dolls.

After retiring from teaching, Joyce became a realtor and joined Wyly-Connor Real Estate. Here, her go-getter attitude earned her membership in the Million Dollar Club. A member of First Baptist Church, she shared her love of Christ and led her girls to know the Lord. She was also an active member of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) and Kiwanis. Above all, Joyce's most favorite activity was spending time with Blake and her girls, her friends, and her adopted and grand dogs, all of whom she loved deeply.

In 2006 Joyce moved into independent living after losing her husband, Blake. Over the last 19 years, she moved with her girls and their husbands to Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Granbury, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona and The Villages, Florida. With her friendly outgoing personality, she easily adapted to new living environments and making new friends. Always a competitive game player, playing Double-Six Dominoes, Mexican Train, Hand & Foot, Bean-Bag Baseball and Bingo now filled her days. The only thing that trumped her games was shopping with her girls. She loved being with her girls, cute clothes and blingy jewelry!

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 46 years, Blake, and many dear cousins and friends. She is survived by her daughters: Betty Purdy Jackson and her husband, Gil, of Fayetteville, Georgia and Katherine Eloise Stewart and her husband, Pat, of The Villages, Florida. A bonus grandson, Brandon Stewart and his wife Melanie and their children, Ella and William, two nieces, a nephew and seven granddogs.

The family requests those wishing to send an expression of sympathy to consider donations in Joyce's name to the Cherokee County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1354, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464 or PayPal Humane Society of Cherokee County@humanecherokeecounty.