Joy Elledge

Joy Karen Elledge, 84, passed away February 23, 2022, at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, OK. She was born on May 1, 1937, in Nowata, Oklahoma to Joe and Leona (Terrell) Pearce. Joy grew up in the Nowata area and graduated from Nowata High School. She went on to obtain her Associate Degree in Music and Arts from Rogers State University.

Joy met and married Jim Elledge and they moved around numerous times with Jim’s job, before settling in Perryton, Texas in 1957. Together, the couple had two sons: Doak Elledge and Rusty Elledge. While in Perryton, she was a member of the First Baptist Church and played the organ and the piano for the church. She moved back to Nowata in the early 1980s.

Upon moving back to Nowata, Joy became a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she was the Director of Music and played the organ and piano for the church. She would also play the organ and piano for the St. Catherine Catholic Church. Throughout her life, Joy was on the Natural Resources Conservation Service Board, was a member of the Cherokee Nation, and was on the Rural Water District #2 Board. Joy won a Conservation Award from the State of Oklahoma in 2006. She enjoyed taking care of her cats, horse, and mule. Joy loved the country life and tending to her hayfields. She was very much loved by the community and was a very giving and loving person. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Joy is survived by her son, Doak Elledge, and wife, Marla, grandchildren; Ty Elledge, Con Elledge, and Allyson Allen and husband, Kyle, great-grandchildren; Tatum Allen, Kambry Allen, and Layne Allen, nephews; Alan Walker and wife, Carline, Mark Walker and wife, Lucy, Judd Pearce and Tim Elledge and wife, Carol, nieces; Sarah Smith and Terri Standeford and husband, Butch, brother-in-law; Paul Elledge, Jane Sherman and husband, Randy and Michaelle Canion and husband, Bing, along with other family members and a host of friends.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; Joe and Leona Pearce, brother; Mike Pearce and wife, Sandy, son; Rusty Elledge, brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Bill and Francis Walker, and nephew; Bobby Walker.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in memory of Joy Elledge. Arrangements are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service. Condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com or on the Benjamin Facebook page.