Photo courtesy of Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home & Crematory - Ardmore
Aug 11, 1951 - Jun 22, 2025
Ms. Pearson was one of the first teachers to really challenge me as a student, and inspired me to enter a career in STEM. I am grateful for her early influence and will never forget her legendary dry humor and laugh! Sending love and prayers to family and loved ones.
Ashton Gores
June 30, 2025 | Baltimore, MD | Student
Joyce was a great friend. We roomed together on many teacher trips in the summer and had a great laugh or two at cheer camp when we were both sponsors.
She was a great person who really loved life. I know many kids through the years who claimed she was their favorite teacher ever.
Rita Elledge
June 27, 2025 | Ardmore, OK | Friend
Ms. Pierson was one of the kindest and most memorable teachers I had during my time at Plainview in 7th grade (2005). I’ll never forget her quick wit and the way she brought humor into her lessons, it made learning truly enjoyable. I was terrified of bugs back then, but thanks to her bug collection project, I slowly overcame that fear. She was an incredible woman. May she rest in peace.
Laraib Hamza
June 26, 2025 | Edmond, OK | Student
Mrs Pierson was AHH-MAZING she was more than just a teacher,she was a true inspiration. Her passion for science and the care she showed each of her students made every class feel like an adventure(literally). She had the unique ability to make even the most complex topics feel exciting and accessible, and she always took the time to encourage and support us. Her warmth and dedication made her not just a favorite teacher, but a role model. I'll forever be grateful for the lessons she taught...
Kali Jones
June 26, 2025 | Ardmore, OK | Student
Have a lot of great memories ! Rest in peace Joyce
Dena Marley
June 26, 2025 | Friend
Know this lady a long time sure sorry to hear about ur loss . She was a good and happy person .
Dawn (Dee Dee) Avila
June 26, 2025 | Ardmore, OK | Neighbor
One great girl, always was nice and fun. A classmate from 69.
Bruce Cypert
June 26, 2025 | Forney, TX
Oh Joyce, I can’t share the good times we had now can I. If memory serves me right , we promised each other never to share that with anyone. You were a great partner in crime and the memories of you are a priceless. You’ll always have a special place in my heart and in my growing up years.
Judy Cavnar
June 26, 2025 | Ardmore, OK | Friend
Ms. Pierson was one of my favorite teachers from middle school. I'm so sad she's gone. She was so fun and I loved seeing her and her sister, Jennifer, at the veterinary clinic I work at. She will be missed!!!
Kaitlin Hallmark (Aldridge)
June 26, 2025 | Ardmore, OK | Student
Joyce Ellen Pierson, 73, of Lone Grove, Oklahoma, passed away on June 22, 2025, surrounded by her daughters and loved ones. A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 30th at 11:00 a.m. at Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home in Ardmore, with Reverend Bruce Kirby officiating.
Born on August 11, 1951, in Ardmore to Royce and Fern Craighead, Joyce was the youngest of three sisters — a title she wore proudly and playfully, often keeping her older sisters on their toes with her sharp wit and a feisty streak that never faded. She graduated from Ardmore High School in 1969 and went on to study Elementary Education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. After earning her degree, she dedicated her life to raising her two daughters, an ever-changing collection of animals, and a backyard garden that bloomed under her loving care.
More than anything, Joyce was a devoted mom and grandma. She loved the holidays and the celebrating only truly began once she danced through the door. Her backyard was a place of comfort and peace — a sanctuary where laughter echoed, stories were shared, and lifelong memories were made.
Joyce had a deep love for quiet mornings with coffee on her back porch, for freshly dug soil and blooming flowers, for traveling with family and friends, and for the classroom. Teaching was not just a job — it was her calling. Each August, she eagerly awaited the start of a new school year. Her career began in 1982 at Plainview Middle School, where she taught 7th and 8th grade science. Her legendary bug and rock collections ignited curiosity and became a rite-of-passage for generations of students. While others feared teenagers, Joyce embraced them — attitude and all. She had a gift for making science come alive and for helping young minds see the wonder in the world.
After retiring from Plainview in 2013, she quickly realized nothing fulfilled her quite like teaching. She returned to Plainview part-time, then went on to teach at Turner Elementary School and later spent a few more years at Dickson Middle School. She only gave it up when she knew she couldn’t give her students 100%, and she wouldn’t settle for less.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Janis Walker; her nephew, Royce Read; and her niece, LeAnna Nelson.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Crystal Cox and husband Eric, and Ashley Pierson; her four cherished grandchildren, Jakob Cox and wife Lissette, Mackenzie Kale, Joshua Cox, and Jaxon Cox. She is also survived by her sister, Jennifer Read; nieces Stephanie Read and Stacy Wilson (Jeff); nephew Jamie Read; great-niece Shannon Fagan (Michael); great-nephew Robbie Wilson (Jakayla); and many sweet great-great-nieces and nephews whom she adored.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. April Sullivan, Dr. Arun Devakonda, and the team at Mercy Hospital Ardmore for the exceptional care they provided.
Joyce will be remembered for her fierce love, her wit, her green thumb, her devotion to her students, and her unwavering strength. She gave so much to so many — and her legacy lives on in the lives she touched.
Cremation-With-Care provided by Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home and Crematory where online condolences for the family may be left at www.hdouglasfuneralhome.com.
Read More
