Joyce Ruth Thomas

Ringling - Funeral Services for Mrs. Joyce Ruth (Richardson) Thomas, 84, of Ringling are scheduled for 3:00P.M. Saturday Feb. 18, 2017 at the Ringling Church of Christ with Brian McGahey officiating. Interment will follow at the Ringling Memorial Cemetery. Services are under the direction and care of Alexander Funeral Home of Ringling.

Joyce was born on March 19, 1932 at Grady to the late Mr. Samuel Hudgeon Richardson and Mrs. Mary Ethel (Austin) Richardson. She departed this life Thursday, February 16, 2017 at a healthcare facility in Ardmore.

Joyce was raised in Grady attending school at Ringling, graduating high school in 1950. She moved to Oklahoma City where she became employed within a bank. While carpooling back home to visit she was introduced to Mr. AJ Thomas. She and Jay fell in love and were united in marriage on August 30, 1958 at Del City. They moved to Texas and settled in Greenville, TX for several years. During these years, Joyce devoted her work to her household and family. When the kids were grown she decided to fulfill a lifelong goal of becoming a nurse and began attending nursing school. She was an excellent student and quickly received her LPN certification.

Joyce worked at the Ringling Nursing Home caring for the residents. She served as a Nurse and when she received her certification for Nursing Home Administration, she began serving as the Administrator. She was employed at the Ringling Nursing Home for several years retiring in 2002.

During her years as a nurse and administrator, Joyce would volunteer her vacation's to serving as the camp nurse at all the Carter County Citizens Camp for the less advanced mental and physical, or social development handicaps.She loved to read about history and sew and was a member of the Ringling Church of Christ.

Preceding her in death are her Parents; Husband Jay - Oct. 12, 2007; sisters, Dorothy Blackwell, Merle Tripp and Lois Rich; brothers, Infant brother, Wilburn Ray Richardson, Norman Richardson, Earl Richardson and Burl Richardson.

Survivors include her children; Belinda Turner of Ardmore, Jay Richard Thomas of Lone Grove and John Andrew "Johnny" Thomas and Fiance' Penny Stephens of Ardmore; grandchildren, Anna, Kristin, John, Jessica, Abby, Lee and Spanky; great grandchildren, Emmy, Cove and Atticus; special friends, Robert Wodraska and Maria McMahon; numerous other relatives and friends

Casket Bearers are Jared Cheek, Bill Jones, Kurt Wilson, Bobby Richardson, Tommy Hildebrant and Jake Hubbard.

Honorary Bearers are Roy Provence, Dale Richardson and Jack Wilson.

Family visitation will be held from 6 to 8 pm Friday at Alexander Funeral Home of Ringling.

condolences may be shared at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org