Joyce Morton, of Durant, Okla. passed from this life on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021 at the age of 86. She was born on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 1934 in Smith-Lee, Okla. to Earl McKlene and Mamie Agnes (Dunegan) Sangster.
Joyce married Kenneth Morton on June 11, 1955 in Durant, Okla.
Joyce had many interests and abilities. She owned Wilson Ross Flower Shop for many years and enjoyed creating floral arrangements and assisting customers with their floral needs. She was a perfectionist when planning events and no detail would be overlooked.
She was a member of the Oklahoma Master Gardeners and earned her Master Gardener credential in 2002. To maintain the credential, many volunteer hours were required which she happily completed. As a member of the Durant Beautification Committee and the Keep Bryan County Beautiful committee, she worked tirelessly to make our city and county a more attractive place to reside and was instrumental in the placement of the Welcome to Durant signs. Joyce was a member of the Durant Rose Garden Club and served as President of the local club, President of the Southeast District and served on various state level committees.
She was a proud member of Beta Sigma Phi. The sorority is a sisterhood that gained knowledge through programs and engaged in local philanthropic activities. She served as President for nine years, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Historian was selected as Woman of the Year, Chapter Sweetheart and received the Order of the Rose award. Her sorority sisters were not just fellow members but also dear friends. Joyce was an excellent cook and her pecan and coconut cream pies were legendary. She loved hosting tea parties and cooking classes for her great granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl McKlene and Mamie Agnes (Dunegan) Sangster; brothers, Wendell Sangster, Kenneth Sangster, Talmadge Sangster; sister, Lucille Sheffield; great-granddaughter, Gracie Rodgers.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Morton of the home; daughter, Vickie Richards and husband Lynn of Durant, Okla.; granddaughters: Melisse Prentice of Durant, Okla., Jill Rodgers and husband Jo of Durant, Okla., Sarah Baskin and husband Brady of Durant, Okla.; grandson, John Richards and wife Amanda of Durant, Okla.; sisters: Nadene Bruce of Edmond, Okla., Kathryn Symons and husband Ray of Fairview, Texas, Rozell Thomas and husband Ray of Denison, Texas, Jacquita Yancy of Sachse, Texas; great-grandchildren: Emma Rodgers, Max Rodgers, Abigail Baskin, Hannah Baskin, Otto Baskin, Guy Richards, Hattie Richards all of Durant, Okla. and other extended family.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Durant, Okla. with Bro. Gary McNeill officiating.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. Third Ave. in Durant, Okla.
Phone: (580) 916-9090
www.gordonfh.com
