Joyce Ann Whitecotton

Joyce Ann Whitecotton was born along with her twin sister, Lois on August 24, 1938 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Frank and Jewel (Evans) Cooper. Joyce was raised and attended school in Oklahoma City, completing her education at Southeast High School. Joyce was married to Arlis Dewey Whitecotton, whom she had met in Oklahoma City, on September 26, 1960 in Leadville, Colorado. The couple made their initial home and raised their children, Debra, Randy, Barbara, Arlis Michael and Cindy in Buena Vista, Colorado, west of Colorado Springs. Following Arlisí medical retirement in 1974 the couple moved to New Mexico where together they opened the A and R outfitters, a big game hunting guide service which was committed to the protection of our national resources and to the perpetuation of hunting. Their company provided guide service and horses for hunts of deer, elk, mountain lion and bear. Arlis and Joyce purchased property near Osage, Oklahoma in 1978 in order to be closer to family and be near Keystone Lake. Joyce loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. The couple continued to spend time in New Mexico during the hunting season and returning to Osage in the off-season until their retirement from the guide business in 1999. Joyce was described by her family and friends as a spiritual, loving and caring mother and grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was loyal and dedicated to her family and would do anything for anyone; always available for those who needed her. She enjoyed sewing and was an accomplished seamstress. She provided everything that required sewing to her church and was considered the First Baptist Church of Osage seamstress; making everything from costumes for plays to covers for pew cushions. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Osage and her faith was always evident in the love she shared with those around her. In addition to sewing, Joyce was an avid Cabbage Patch Doll collector and spent countless hours attending flea markets and garage sales looking for additions to her collection. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors and loved taking care of her flower beds. She loved animals but had a special place in her heart for her beloved cocker spaniel, Charlie. Joyce went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, May 7, 2010 at her home in Osage with her loving family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arlis of forty-five years on May 24, 2006, a sister, Helen Morris and a brother, Buford Cooper. She is survived by five children, Debra and her husband, Abe Presa of Osage, Oklahoma, Randy and his wife, Cyndi Slover of Westmoreland, Kansas, Barbara and her husband, Mike Morris of Chelsea, Oklahoma, Arlis Michael Whitecotton of Osage, Oklahoma, and Cindy and her husband, Neil Good of Cleveland, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren, Adam Peterson, Brian Peterson, Mindy Peek, Amber Slover, Brandi Smith, Brandon Morris, Jamie Stokes, Andrea, Arlisa, and Tanner Good; twenty-great grandchildren an her twin sister, Lois Howell of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.