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May 30, 1941 - May 28, 2026
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Joyce Lenore (Taylor) Alexander of Caddo, Oklahoma, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, friend, and inspiration, passed gently into eternity at the age of 84 on Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Durant, Oklahoma. Just two days shy of her 85th birthday. She began life in White Salmon, Washington state on May 30, 1941, one of 10 children born to Gerald Taylor and Erma Altha (Thompson) Taylor. She graduated from Olympia High School in 1960, and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving until 1962.
Joyce met a United States Marine, Charles Edwin Alexander from Oklahoma, and they were married in Santa Anna, California on June 1, 1962. Then he took her to Caddo, OK to meet his family. Their marriage was blessed with three sons, Anthony "Andy", Thomas, and Douglas, and he moved their family to Caddo to build a home and raise his boys near family. On her way to meet him, after crossing into Oklahoma, a tornado picked up their car with her and the boys inside and set them in a ditch and she said, "Well, welcome to Oklahoma." She faithfully followed and honored her husband, through all of the adventures God gave to them in their 50 years together.
Graduating from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1980 with a Bachelor's degree in Education, Joyce loved reading and learning. She enjoyed being the curator and librarian of the Indian Territory Museum for the last few years, and sharing her love for history. Her favorite books were wild western adventures or exciting mysteries with no romance fluff added.
Joyce was a faithful member of Caddo First Baptist church for many years and passionately served as church secretary of the First Baptist Church of Caddo for 36 years. She was on many committees, as well as praising God in the living Christmas Tree production at First Baptist Durant. Recently she has served as the Sunday School Secretary ringing the cow bell for Sunday school to adjourn. Joyce once said, "People make time for what they want to do." She faithfully encouraged her brothers and sisters in Christ not to forsake the fellowship of the saints.
She boldly faced cancer saying, "It doesn't matter if I'm here or there, I'm with Jesus either way."
The memories of Joyce's love and faith will help carry her family daily. They include her sons Thomas Alexander of Cabool, Missouri, and Douglas Alexander of Mountain Grove, Missouri; her grandsons Ethan, Blake, Scott, Daniel, and Andrew; Granddaughters Taylor, Madison, and Jordan; 3 Great Grandchildren, her brothers Edwin Taylor and Raymond Taylor; and many nieces, nephews, church family, and very dear friends.
Those preceding Joyce in death include her husband Charles; their son Andy; her parents Gerald and Erma; sisters Anne Rohner, Helen Williams, Norma Prince, Phyllis Alexander, and Retha; and brothers Wayne and Thomas Taylor.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home Chapel in Durant, OK.