Joy Yates Buell

Joy Yates Buell, 86, a resident of Bartlesville, passed away at Jane Phillips Hospital, May 19, after an extended illness.
Joy was born March 2, 1924 to Dr. D.A. Yates and Pearl Hinkle Yates of Avant, Oklahoma, the youngest of seven children. Joy grew up and attended school in Avant. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Central State College and did her graduate work at the University of Oklahoma.
Joy began her career with Skelly Oil in Pawhuska, then joined Phillips Petroleum as a molecular structure analyst. She was the first woman to hold a supervisory position at the Phillips Research Lab. Joy retired from Phillips in 1985.
She worked for the betterment of Bartlesville, on community causes, committees, and activities. She chaired the major committees of the First United Methodist Church. She served on and chaired the Bartlesville Community Center Trust Authority. She also served on the Board of Adjustment and was a docent at Woolaroc.
Joy loved traveling, Indian art, and sports, in particular, women's basketball which she played in high school (scoring 54 points in one game.)
Joy married Barry Buell in 1964 and they made their home in Bartlesville. In addition to her husband, Joy leaves behind her sister Bettye Jane Johnston of Bartlesville, nephews Dr. David Yates of Franklin, TN and Robert Yates of Longmont, CO. Surviving nieces are Polly Puryear of Hominy, OK, Barbara Carter, husband Wade and sons of Tempe, AZ, and Gayle Basse and her son of Yukon, OK.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 5th and Johnstone in Bartlesville, on Friday, May 28, 2010, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made directly to the First United Methodist Church of Bartlesville or a charity of choice.