Joan Murray was born April 20, 1926 in EL Reno, Oklahoma to Horace (Jack) and Ethel (Reeves) Jennings. She passed away September 22, 2011, at the Shattuck Nursing Center, at the age of 85.

Joan grew up in El Reno, Oklahoma where she attended school through the 9th grade. On December 17, 1956 Joan was united in marriage to Glever C. Murray at the First Baptist Church in Vinita, Oklahoma. Joan and Glever were blessed with two daughters, Gloria and Donna. After Joan and Glever were married they lived in Vinita, Oklahoma, Gage, Oklahoma, Shattuck, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, and Albuquerque, New Mexico before moving back to Shattuck.

Joan worked as a cosmetician and a manicurist at Haslett's Drug Store in Vinita. She also worked in a garment factory in Chetopa, Kansas and at Ken's Drug Store in Shattuck. Joan loved to sew and enjoyed cooking, especially bread, for her family.

Joan was saved at a young age and tried her best to live her life for the Lord. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Shattuck, Oklahoma. She was active with her Sunday school class and at times would open her home up for Bible studies and singing. She also was a youth leader in Gage, Oklahoma.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Glever C. Murray; parents, Jack and Ethel Jennings, and one brother Tommy J. Jennings.

Those left to cherish her memories are daughters, Gloria Henderson and husband Don of Neosho, Missouri and Donna Bender and husband Larry of Shattuck, Oklahoma; grandkids, David Henderson and wife Georgia of Neosho, Missouri, Dusty Henderson and wife Tammy of Neosho, Missouri, John Bender of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Brandi Hanson and husband Matthew of Council Bluffs, Iowa; one sister Patsy Hicks of Satellite Beach, Florida; 13 great-grandkids and 1 great great-grandson; several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Joan loved life and was a blessing to all who knew her.