Joyce W. Beckham

Joyce W. Beckham, went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at her home in Cleveland, Oklahoma at the age of 97 years, four months and twenty three days. Joyce was born December 4, 1916, in Gilbert, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Stanley Andrew and Hattie Christine (Yarbrough) Lay. As a young girl Joyce grew up in Prue where she graduated from high school. Joyce later attended college at Central State Teachers College and obtained her teaching certificate. In the Spring of 1936, Joyce met the love of her life Willard A. Beckham in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The couple was united in marriage on August 6, 1936 in Hominy, Oklahoma. Joyce began her teaching career at Boston Pool in January of 1937. After the birth of their son Willard Ray in 1948, Joyce began working as a substitute teacher. In 1957, Joyce and Willard moved to Hominy where they lived until 1979, when they moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma. Joyce was very active in helping Willard with their production business especially doing the daily tasks as the secretary and bookkeeper. In 1979, the Beckhamís joined forces with the David Butler Family and formed Beckham and Butler Production. At that time Joyce retired from the daily activities of working so that she could focus more on her golf game. Joyce remained an avid golfer well into her 90ís winning the Keystone Golf Club Championship in the Ladies Division in 2001. Her son Williard Ray was also a very important part of her life. She was extremely proud of his accomplishments in the theater especially as the writer and director of his sucessful musical Lucky Guy. Talent ran in the family as Joyce created her very own Minnie Pearl act in the 1960ís. Bringing joy to numerous churches, nursing homes and countless family reunions. Her greatest and final performance was at the world famous Sardiís Restaurant in New York City where she brought down the house at the age of 91. Joyce also enjoyed traveling with several trips to Hawaii, Europe and even South Korea. Her favorite destination was New York City to visit her son and all of the friends she had there. Joyce was a very devoted Christian and Sunday School Teacher for the Dorcaís Class. She has been a longtime member at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland. Joyce was a very giving person and was reconginized for her generosity by the Baptist Village with the Partners in Excellence Award in 2010. She loved playing the piano and entertaining people, but her favorite part was always the applause. As Joyce is quoted, ìmy act is always great itís just the audiences that vary.î Survivors are her son, Willard Ray Beckham of New York City, one brother Kenneth Lay and his wife Anna of Edmond, Oklahoma, sixteen nieces and nephews and a host of great nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends that mourn her passing. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley A. and Hattie C. Lay, husband Willard A. Beckham, two sisters Ruby Griffin and her husband George, Jewel Dean Dillman and her husband Brown; three brothers Willard "Bill" M. Lay and his wife Louise, R.L. Lay and his wife Alma, Gerald Lay and his wife Lorraine.