oanne (Hixon) Kirven, 94, passed away July 5, 2025 at her home in Durant, Oklahoma.
Joanne was born Aug. 9, 1930, at home in Perote, Ala. to Benjamin “Bennie” Petty Hixon and Mary Lou (Byrd) Hixon.
Joanne graduated from Inverness High School in Bullock Co., Ala., in 1948 and Alabama College in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She received a master’s degree in Christian Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Va., in 1957, and later a secondary and elementary education degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla.
During her college years she worked as a camp counselor. Later she worked in child welfare adoptions, foster homes, and did juvenile court work in Birmingham, Ala. She was also director of Christian Education for Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Va.
Joanne married Ross Kirven on July 30, 1956, in Richmond, Va., where they met while he was attending Union Theological Seminary. They served at churches in Newport News, Va., where their oldest son, Stephen, was born; Durham, N.C., where their youngest son, Andrew, was born; Fort Smith, Ark.; and Alma, Ark. before settling in Durant where Ross became pastor of First Presbyterian Church in 1967. She worked together with him in Presbyterian ministry lending support, a home-cooked meal and nurturing to all who came through their doors.
She taught Head Start in Silo and Durant from 1971-75; and 6th grade language arts and social studies in Durant from 1975 until she retired in 1992. During her teaching career she was a career education counselor, ACT president, legislative chairman for DEA, chairman of the Staff Development Committee for Durant Public Schools, and chairman of the Positive Committee. She represented Durant Public Schools and attended the National Staff Development Conference in Seattle, Wash., in 1988, was nominated twice for Durant’s Teacher of the Year, and was one of three finalists for Teacher of the Year in 1990 and 1992. She also took students to Washington, D.C. for several years while she was teaching Social Studies.
Joanne was a Presbyterian elder, chairperson of the Christian Education committee, and mission chairperson for Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery for several years. She traveled to Malawi, Africa for the Eastern Okla. Presbytery to attend the 25th anniversary silver jubilee celebration of the Synod of Livingstonia, and in 1992 to Jordan, Israel, the Occupied Territories and Egypt with the Presbyterian Global Mission Unit where she served on the Dept. of Nurture and Education for Presbyterian Women in the southwest part of the Presbytery. She was mission committee coordinator for Eastern Okla. Presbytery, and enabler to the southwest cluster of Presbyterian women in Eastern Oklahoma. She was a member of Lydia Circle of Presbyterian Women and taught Sunday School for many years.
She was a member of the Democratic Women, Bryan Co. Retired Teachers Association, Beta Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Daughters of the American Revolution, board member for the Red River Arts Council, and served as a member of the MCSO hospital auxiliary for several years following retirement.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; son, Stephen “Steve” Broadnax Kirven; sister, Bennie Capps; grandparents, Samuel and Juliette (Petty) Hixon, and Clarence and Lonnie Byrd; brothers-in-law, Jerry Capps and David Trent; father-in-law, Jack Kirven; mother-in-law Johnnie (Ross) Kirven; nephew, Johnny Capps; several aunts and uncles; and several cousins.
She is survived by her husband, Ross; son, Andrew “Andy” Hixon Kirven and Sandra “Sandy”; daughter-in-law, Shelia Kirven; granddaughters: Kassidy Conway and Chris, and Ashley Kirven-Bobier and Cort; great-grandchildren: Elliott and Emily Conway, and Henry Kirven-Bobier; sister-in-law, Donna Trent; niece, Shirley Varner and Joe; nephews, Randy Capps and Nancy, and Grady Capps; nieces-in-law, Kathy Capps; Elizabeth Spector and Sandy Graham; Valerie Franklin and Terry; nephew-in-law, Robert Trent; several great-nephews, great-nieces, great-great nephews and great-great nieces; and a multitude of loved ones and friends.
Funeral services will be July 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The First Presbyterian Church in Durant, Oklahoma, with Reverend Mike Manaugh officiating..
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Centric Home Health and Hospice for their excellent care during Joanne’s last days.
Services are under the care of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, 121 N. Fifth Ave. in Durant, Okla.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com
