Woodward County Obituary
Fairlawn Cemetery

Joyce Hunter

June 22, 1949 - December 22, 2016

© SHAW REDINGER FUNERAL HOMES
VICI, DEWEY CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

It was the middle of summer and harvest was in full swing. It was really busy in the Jud Poulson house, the men were busy in the harvest field, and Thelma Poulson was expecting her fourth child any day. Thelma decided that the women were busy helping with the harvest and she didn’t want to bother them so she would go to Mooreland Hospital to have her baby. On June 22, 1949 Evelyn Joyce Poulson was born in Mooreland, OK. Her older brother Ed, and sisters Glenda and Marilyn were there to greet her when she came home.

In 1952, sister Dorene was born. Joyce was a very mischievous little girl and her brother Ed loved to put her up to orneriness. When she was 8 years old her baby sister, Shirlene was born. Joyce attended Mutual grade school and high school. She always had lots of school friends. As a teenager, she loved spending time with her church friends. She and Cecil Randall started a church hayride for different churches which is still an event every July. Joyce graduated high school in 1967. She decided she wanted to go to college and become a teacher, so she enrolled at Southwestern in Weatherford. She worked very hard and held numerous jobs to get her degree. In 1968, Joyce became a member of the Church of the Firstborn, being baptized by her father, Bro. Jud Poulson. Joyce took the young kids near and far in her green station wagon “Jumbo.” Everyone was welcome to jump in and go.

In 1971, she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and worked her first year of teaching at Selman, OK. Her second year was at Buffalo. Her third year was at Ft. Supply where she remained until retirement. While at Sonic, she and a fellow teacher, Margaret, met two Hunter boys. They both happened to live in Ft. Supply! Rick Hunter was the love of her life and they married on September 16, 1974, and Margaret married Charlie Hunter. Joyce continued her education, achieving a master’s degree in 1974.

In 1976, a daughter, Debra Sue, was born. She was the light of their life. In 1978, Donna Kay was born. Two sweet little girls. Joyce’s teaching career was going strong, and she had made Ft. Supply her home. She spent many hours at school functions and helping neighbors. Always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone. She informed the family that she was expecting again. To everyone’s surprise, she had Deedra Ann Hunter two months later in January of 1980. Three adorable little girls. Rick and Joyce were very busy. Joyce enjoyed her in-laws, Richard and Jane Hunter, and spent hours playing cards with them, tending to her kids, cooking, and school.

In 1985, Dalinda Lue was born. Four little Hunter girls! The older girls were her little helpers. Joyce took the girls to all the school activities and attended the church at Woodward. She loved having kids at her house anytime. She always had a pool up and a freezer of her pop ice cream, letting the kids decide the flavor of the day. She enjoyed having the young people from the church come up and go to the lake. She packed many picnic baskets. She and Rick never said no to having company in their home. Their house was always the center of fun. Joyce loved to play games and cards, and was always ready to play wherever she was.

Joyce was a wonderful teacher and loved her students. She went the extra mile to make learning fun. She won many awards through the years.

In 2004, her beloved husband Rick passed away suddenly. This was the most devastating time of her life. Three weeks later, she suffered a stroke. She struggled to get better and was able to keep teaching school. In December 2005, Joyce’s mother Thelma fell and Joyce helped care for her, spending every weekend with her.

In 2006, Joyce retired from teaching after 35 years. She moved to Vici in 2007 for several years. She was very happy to be near brethren, and attend church back at home. She enjoyed time with family and friends, Connie and Norma. She had an abundance of faith and was always thinking of someone who might need some help. Joyce had a very beautiful, infectious smile and laugh. She could pray the most beautiful prayers that touched your soul.

In 2012, Joyce suffered another stroke and moved back to Ft. Supply. Her daughters devoted their time to take care of their mother for almost 4 years. Joyce passed from this life on December 22, 2016, with her family around her bedside. Joyce was a wonderful mother who would do anything to make her girls happy. She was a devoted wife and constant companion to Rick. She was a loving, caring daughter. Joyce was an amazing sister and friend. She was a faithful and devoted servant to God.

Left to mourn her passing are her four daughters and their companions: Debra and Melisa Hunter; Dennis and Donna McCaslin, and son Andrew; Billy and Deedra Hunter, and daughter Destiny; and John and Dalinda Hix; Two sisters, Dorene Shadid and Shirlene Boyd; Sister-in-laws Betty Winters and Alveta Lively, many relatives and friends.

Our lives were made so much better because of her example of strength and love.

In memory of Joyce Hunter
Joyce’s Pop Ice Cream
1 c. Eagle Brand Milk
8 oz. Cool Whip
3 (12/oz.) cans of pop (any kind)
Milk – to fill freezer
Pour into freezer, mix well, and freeze.

Graveside Service
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Fairlawn Cemetery
Fort Supply, OK 73841