Joyce Elaine (Conner) Barton was born on June 2, 1943 at home in Three Corners, Oklahoma, near Leedey, the youngest of 9 children, 6 boys and 3 girls, born to Robert "Pete" and Edna (Allen) Conner. She passed away at home on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at the age of 82 years, 10 months, and 24 days.

Joyce was Proceeded in Death by her Parents: Robert "Pete" and Edna Conner of Cheyenne, OK and all 8 of her siblings; Brothers: Vernon and Wife Mary, Lyle and Wife Virginia, Robert "Bob", James "Jim", Franklin "Frank", and Roy and Sisters: Evelyn Tomberlin and Husband Bob and Lazetta Walsh and Husband Bill.

She is survived by: Husband of almost 64 year years Bob of their home near the Antelope Hills, in Crawford, OK; 1 Daughter Lisa Kirk and Husband Wayne of Weatherford, OK and 2 Grandsons: Brandon Kirk and Fiancée Kennedie Helton of Weatherford, OK and Tyler Kirk and Wife Brooklyn of Newcastle, OK. Sister-In-Law Jean Conner and several cherished Nieces, Nephews and Cousins and a host of wonderful friends and members of her church family.

Joyce started school in Strong City, Oklahoma and continued there until the school was closed at which time she completed her education in Cheyenne, Oklahoma where she graduated in 1961. During High School she began dating her future husband, Bob Barton. She and Bob married June 28, 1962 in her family home in Strong City, OK. They had one daughter, Lisa who was born August 26, 1966. Excluding a brief time right after they were married, they lived the majority of their life at their family ranch near the Antelope Hills in Crawford.

1962 is when they met a couple who became their best friends for life. Arthur and Johnnie Welty. They lived across the street from each other in Cheyenne and this resulted in a friendship that has lasted 60+ years. Both couples were newlyweds and loved being able to just walk across the street to visit, play cards, or pranks.

Bob & Arthur began rodeoing every Friday night. They took a single cab pickup for the 4 adults and were so conservative (I mean poor) they slept on a piece of plywood laying on top of the propane tank. Joyce, Johnnie and Todd slept in the camper but Arthur and Bob were such gentlemen they slept in the horse trailer so as not to crowd them (or so they said).

After high school graduation, Joyce worked for Bud Hill in his café for about 6 months, before starting her career working for the USDA. She started work at the Soil Conservation Service Office and after several years there, transferred to Farmers Home Administration (FHA). It was during this time she began to travel to other offices within the state training their staff on new technologies and programs as well as spending time at the state office in Stillwater and the national offices in Washington, DC.

Joyce retired from FHA and began her most fulfilling career as Grandma to the pride and joys in her life, her two grandsons, Brandon and Tyler.

She spent countless amounts of time with them, playing whatever games they liked, going for walks to find insects and other amazing things you find while walking on a dirt road. She began watching animated shows and cowboy movies (over and over again with no complaints) or coming to their house to stay with them if they were home sick from school. Grandma could be counted on to make them whatever they wanted as they were her top priority. As they got older she attended every little league activity including Basketball, Baseball, and Football games and on thru their High School years where she added in Track Meets along with some Team Ropings and Ranch Rodeos. If the boys were involved she and Bob were either in attendance or were getting real time updates.

Joyce was an active servant at the Baptist Church of Durham, OK. She served as Treasurer for 19 years as well as a member of the Finance and Building Committees. She was also teaching the Senior Women's class.

Joyce's family would like to express their thanks to Comforting Hands Hospice and her caretakers Rhonda and Melissa for the care and compassion given to Joyce and the family.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Bellview Cemetery, E 730 Rd in Crawford, OK. Immediately following the graveside service, a reception and fellowship will be held at the Durham Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Bellview Cemetery - 17530 E 730 Rd, Crawford, OK 73638 or the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department - RR 1 Box 200, Crawford, OK 73638.