Bethany Cemetery

Pawnee County, Oklahoma

© Poteet Funeral Home

Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Carole Joyce Dunegan Bryant

June 16, 1938 ~ February 11, 2023

Carole Joyce Bryant passed from this life on February 11, 2023, at the age of 84 her home in Hallett, Oklahoma.

Joyce was born on June 16, 1938, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of George Handly and Leotha Margaret (Clifton-Keefe) Dunegan. Joyce was raised in Hoising, Kansas, before moving with her family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduating from St. John Vianney High School. After high school, Joyce accepted a position with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On August 29, 1957, she was united in marriage to Billy Joe Bryant, Joyce and Bill established their initial home in Tulsa. Later moving to Kansas and in 1967, they moved to New Waverly, Texas. In the early 1970s, Joyce and Bill returned to Oklahoma and during that time, Joyce helped Bill establish the Porta John Company of Tulsa. They grew the business establishing the National Catering Service, where she was currently the President of the company.

Joyce was a stay-at-home mom for many years. Tending to the home duties while Bill was working several jobs as they started their company. She remained at home for many years till the children were raised, and the Porta John business began to grow. Then, Joyce started helping with the business duties, making the business a successful and viable company.

Joyce loved working in the garden and had a green thumb. She enjoyed the garden and landscapes surrounding the house and yard that she tended to personally. She was very active and always enjoyed the time spent in her yard. Going camping, fishing, and boating were always favorite times for Joyce. Vacations at the Arbuckle Mountains, the Illinois River in Tahlequah, the trip to the Dominican Republic, and going to her sister Pats in Texas were always memorable times. The grandkids remembered the special times at grandma's pool and cooking out and Christmas at her home.

Joyce is survived by; five children, Mark Alan Bryant of Hallett, Oklahoma, Kathryn Rene Bryant-Kidd of Claremore, Oklahoma, Jeannie Ontiveros of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Terry Dean Bryant of Hallett, Oklahoma, Crissy Ford of Hallett, Oklahoma; four siblings Thomas H. Dunegan of Montgomery, Texas, Richard L. Dunegan of Bertram, Texas, Patricia Dunegan of Conroe, Texas, Virginia Love of Conroe, Texas; sister in law Margie Dunegan of The Woodlands, Texas; sixteen grandchildren, thirty four great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, husband Billy Joe Bryant, son William "Joe" Joseph Bryant, five siblings James Dunegan, Gareld Dunegan, George Michael Dunegan, Margarie Fair and Shirley Rosa.

Services will be held on 11:00 am, Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Rosary and Mass services will be 6:00 pm, Friday, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cleveland with Father Bruce Brosnahan presiding. Burial will be held in the Bethany Cemetery at Hallett, Oklahoma under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Joyce at www.chapman-black.com.