Joy Mize

Junita Joy (Jenkins) Mize, 84, passed away in her home November 21, 2011. Joy was born May 1, 1927 in Shawnee, OK to Bruce and Ollie Jenkins. She was the first of four children and their only daughter. Joy attended Earlsboro Schools her whole life and graduated valedictorian of her senior class in 1945. She attended one year at OBU and one semester at OSU before returning to Earlsboro and marrying Junior Mize. Together they established J&J Grocery  in 1949. Junior and Joy would have celebrated 64 years of marriage on December 2. As a teenager Joy had remarked that she “wouldn’t be caught dead with one of those Mize boys.” Later she explained that Junior had left for the war just a scrawny farm boy, but he returned a handsome soldier. Junior and Joy had five children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Joy was an active member of the churches of Christ. She taught Sunday school for many years at the Earlsboro and Tecumseh churches of Christ. During this time, she also sang in acapella church choirs upon request for funerals and memorial services. She had a beautiful alto voice. Most recently she was a member of the Seminole Church of Christ. Joy loved learning and later took classes “for fun” at Seminole State College. She strongly believed in the value of education and served on the Earlsboro School board for 20 years. She loved the Earlsboro community and supported it in whatever way she could faithfully attending sporting events, fundraising events, and alumni activities. Joy was the rural letter carrier for the Earlsboro Post Office where she worked for over 20 years. After her retirement, she became involved in several volunteer and advocacy organizations. She was an active member of the Silver-haired Legislature, the OK Alliance for the Aging, and the Shawnee Chapter of the AARP. She volunteered with Meal on Wheels and literacy programs. She also went on several trips around the US as well as to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and England. Joy had many and varied interests which included watching football and basketball games, gardening, traveling, reading, and whatever her children and grandchildren were involved in. She was always “there” for her children and grandchildren: in body and spirit. Joy was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and two brothers: H.B. and Lynn. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Jay and Debbie Mize of Earlsboro; Gail and Daryl Nash of Edmond; Monte and Simone Mize of Seminole; JoBeth and Howard Parsons of Earlsboro; and Ray Mize of Earlsboro; her grandchildren Crissy and John Smith of Edmond; Jeff Mize of Earlsboro; Kassy Mize of Earlsboro; Morgan Nash and Samuel Nash of Edmond; Jessica and Caleb Eddings of Earlsboro; Caiti Parsons and Montana Parsons of Earlsboro; her great-grandchildren: Summer, Jordan, Berek, and Kayson. She is also survived by her brother Duane Jenkins and wife Lou of Turlock, CA along with numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. Funeral services will be at 10 am November 25 at the Earlsboro High School Auditorium. Officiating will be Chris Stinnett and Doyle Loveland. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park, Shawnee, OK. The family will receive visitors on Wednesday November 23, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Swearingen Funeral Home, located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips, Seminole, OK. Serving as casket bearers are her sons, Jay, Monte, and Ray Mize, grandsons Jeff Mize and Montana Parsons, and son-in-law Howard Parsons. Joy left a legacy of unconditional love and quiet service. She is deeply missed by her family and friends. Memorials may be sent to In Search of the Lord’s Way at PO Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: November 25, 2011, 10:00 AM