Edna Halsey

A celebration of life for Edna Joan Halsey, 78, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Church of the Nazarene in Medford, Oklahoma with Pastor Kathy Wheeler officiating.

Edna “Joan” Halsey was born on January 20, 1940 to Prince Albert and Eva Frances Holderbaum in Cherryvale, Kansas. She grew up in the Blackwell area, attending Tonkawa Public Schools until she started her family in 1954. Through the years, she and her children lived in various states including California, Arizona, and Oklahoma.

Joan worked in various professions throughout her lifetime. She once met John Wayne when she was an elevator operator at the Skirvin Towers in Oklahoma City. Her primary focus was in healthcare, as she was very passionate about caring for others which included numerous family members through the years.

Arizona always held a special place in her heart. She eventually made her way back there, where she spent many years with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. She always treasured and spoke of the fond memories they created together.

She soon met and married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Halsey. They shared many years of happiness and love together. They enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, gardening, and being outdoors. Dick was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s later in life. Joan cared for him at home until she wasn’t able any longer as she was also battling health issues and early stage Alzheimers. This prompted her to move back to Oklahoma to be closer to family and Dick passed away shortly after her return. He was everything she ever wanted in a husband and her love for him was unconditional.

Some of Joan’s favorite activities were fishing, gardening, photography, playing bingo, crocheting, and thrifting. She loved to dance. The twist and the jitterbug were two of her favorites. She also loved to sing, and she had a beautiful voice. Elvis and Vince Gill were two of her favorite singers. She thought her grandson looked just like Vince Gill, going as far as hanging his picture on her wall. But most of all Joan loved and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and family.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dick; her parents; a very special uncle and aunt, Loren and Wanda Anthony and numerous other friends and family members.

She is survived by her six children, daughter, Ramona Clark of Medford, Oklahoma, son, Jim Wilson and wife, Janet of Cypress, California, daughter, Jenne Wilson of Cypress, California, son, Joe McClain and wife, Kim of Nescatunga, Oklahoma, daughter, Eva Kelly Davis of Mesquite, Texas and son, Mark McClain of Independence, Missouri; twenty-one grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one uncle and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Joan went to be with her Lord and Savior after a long term battle with COPD and Alzheimer’s. We know she is now at peace, smiling down on us all. We will forever cherish all of her “I love you’s.” We will never forget her contagious laugh and beautiful smile that could light up the room, her sense of humor, flirtatious nature, her many stories, fun-loving personality, and most of all how much she loved us all!

See you later alligator! After while crocodile!

Memorials may be given to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, COPD Division or Alzheimer’s Division through the funeral home.