Loyce (Kennedy) Humphrey was born July 25, 1936 in Muskogee, Oklahoma and left this life April 14, 2016.

Loyce Lee was the second child of Ernest Verdale Kennedy and Norma Lee (Camp) Kennedy. She attended Checotah schools, graduating with the class of 1954. Loyce was active in every activity during her school days. She played French horn and was the drum major in the band, won honors at state in vocal music, and was a synchronized swimmer in college. Loyce was an outstanding basketball player and was offered a contract with the professional women's basketball team, the All-American Red Heads. Loyce was an active member of First Baptist Church, Bartlesville, and prayer chairman of the WMU. Loyce was a former member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, her mother having traced her lineage back to pre-Revolutionary days. She also qualified for membership in the First Families of the Twin Territories of Oklahoma. Her father was born in Indian Territory before Oklahoma became a state, and her grandparents on her mother's side were residents of Indian Territory, as well. After attending Oklahoma Baptist University, Loyce Kennedy and Leo Humphrey were united in marriage on September 7, 1955 at First Baptist Church in Checotah, OK. The couple lived in numerous cities due to Leo's Air Force career. In 1969, answering the call to preach, Leo and Loyce moved with their two children to New Orleans to allow Leo to attend seminary and become a minister. For 37 years, Loyce gave her steadfast support and assistance to Leo and their international ministry, Good News in Action. The couple regularly took groups from the US on outreach missions to El Salvador. Working alongside Leo, Loyce spoke to women's groups at retreats and missionary meetings, leading people to faith in Jesus Christ and telling them about their work in El Salvador.

Loyce is survived by her daughter, Jill Pletcher of Bartlesville, and her grandchildren, Benjamin Kelly Pletcher and Margaret Elizabeth Pletcher, both of Santa Cruz, California, as well as one sister, Nan Kennedy Morrison and her husband, Frank, and nephew, Alan James Morrison, and her eternal friends, Steve and Pam Kern of El Salvador.

Mrs. Humphrey is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Leo Humphrey (1934-2006) and her son, Kelly Verdale Humphrey (1958-1983).

Memorial contributions may be made to the ministry that Loyce and Leo started and that continues to actively win people to Jesus in Central America: Good News in Action, PO Box 1660, Albany, LA, 70711.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in the Serenity Chapel at Garrett Family Funeral Home in Checotah.

Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery alongside her husband and son under the personal direction of John and Seth Garrett. For those who are unable to attend, a memorial will be held at the First Baptist Church, Bartlesville, on April 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM.

You may share online condolences with Loyce's family @ www.garrettfamilyfuneralhome.com. The family of Loyce (Kennedy) Humphrey entrusted her care, services and burial to John, Kim and Seth Garrett of Garrett Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service 311 SW 2nd Checotah, OK 74426. (918)473-2244