Funeral services for Billye Joy Craighead will be 2 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2012, at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Truman Ferguson officiating with B.J. Gensic assisting. Interment will follow to Rose Hill Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Craddock Funeral Home.
Following a year long battle with brain cancer, Billye Joy passed away peacefully at her home with family in attendance on January 2, 2012. Born Billye Joy Cummings in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on November 20, 1928, to the late John E. and Della Mae Thomas Cummings, she was the baby girl in the family with two older brothers, Vanoy and Don, both of whom doted on her and preceded her in death.
In her youth, Billye Joy loved performing at various functions, playing the piano and singing and when she could no longer play, she still enjoyed listening to her player piano.
After graduating from Ardmore High School in 1946, she moved to Oklahoma City where she worked as a secretary for Devon Oil Company. Soon, though, she returned to Ardmore, where that experience helped her obtain a secretarial position with the Westheimer-Neustadt Corporation.
In 1946, while watching her brother, Don, play softball, she met Tommy C. Craighead. Three years later on April 16, 1949, the two were married in Gainesville, Texas. On July 4, 1951, their first child, Tommy Don was born. Apparently liking the month of July and a spacing of four years, a second son, Mel Van was born July, 1955, a daughter, Lana followed in July, 1959.
Billye Joy was always a great mom, homemaker and cook, and the best pie-maker in the world, but when Tommy left Samedan to start his own business, she took on the added role of Tommy's first secretary, often staying up late typing oil and gas leases for him.
Throughout her life, Billye Joy was an avid baseball fan, and went to all her husband's and brother's games and later her children's and grandchildren's Little League and softball games. She especially loved major league baseball, and attended many games in St. Louis and San Diego. She could hardly wait for the season to start every year, and stayed up late every night watching her beloved San Diego Padres on television. Her favorite Padre even lent his name to her cherished pet dog – Garvey.
She was a huge Sooner fan and attended many basketball games, and seldom missed an opportunity to watch OU basketball or football games on TV. She also loved cooking, shows, especially Paula Deen.
Billye Joy was a loyal member of the First Christian Church of Ardmore, and attended every Sunday until her illness prevented her from doing so.
She loved her hometown, and remained close to many of her school mates. She adored her mother, father, and brothers. She was a wonderful Mom, and even better, Mammaw and a loving Aunt, and she will be greatly missed.
Billye Joy is survived by her husband, Tommy C.; her three children and their spouses, Tommy Don and Marilyn Craighead of Norman, Mel Van and Deana Craighead of Ardmore, and Lana and Steve Martin, also of Ardmore; grandchildren, Brandon and wife, Lindsey Martin, Chase Martin, Whitney Buck and husband, Dylan, and Jeffrey Don Craighead, all of Norman; Megan Engels and husband, Chris of Houston, and Kyle Van Craighead and Hailey Craighead, of Ardmore; and a soon to be born great-granddaughter. Billye Joy is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Gayle Cummings, Bonnie Hammett, Billie Simmons and her husband, Gary, along with many other dear relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be her four grandsons, Don Rhodes and Kevin Butler, along with honorary pallbearers, her dear nephews, Terry and Gary Cummings.
A family visitation will be from 6-7 this evening at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Cross Timbers Hospice, The First Christian Church or a charity of your choice.
Following a year long battle with brain cancer, Billye Joy passed away peacefully at her home with family in attendance on January 2, 2012. Born Billye Joy Cummings in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on November 20, 1928, to the late John E. and Della Mae Thomas Cummings, she was the baby girl in the family with two older brothers, Vanoy and Don, both of whom doted on her and preceded her in death.
In her youth, Billye Joy loved performing at various functions, playing the piano and singing and when she could no longer play, she still enjoyed listening to her player piano.
After graduating from Ardmore High School in 1946, she moved to Oklahoma City where she worked as a secretary for Devon Oil Company. Soon, though, she returned to Ardmore, where that experience helped her obtain a secretarial position with the Westheimer-Neustadt Corporation.
In 1946, while watching her brother, Don, play softball, she met Tommy C. Craighead. Three years later on April 16, 1949, the two were married in Gainesville, Texas. On July 4, 1951, their first child, Tommy Don was born. Apparently liking the month of July and a spacing of four years, a second son, Mel Van was born July, 1955, a daughter, Lana followed in July, 1959.
Billye Joy was always a great mom, homemaker and cook, and the best pie-maker in the world, but when Tommy left Samedan to start his own business, she took on the added role of Tommy's first secretary, often staying up late typing oil and gas leases for him.
Throughout her life, Billye Joy was an avid baseball fan, and went to all her husband's and brother's games and later her children's and grandchildren's Little League and softball games. She especially loved major league baseball, and attended many games in St. Louis and San Diego. She could hardly wait for the season to start every year, and stayed up late every night watching her beloved San Diego Padres on television. Her favorite Padre even lent his name to her cherished pet dog – Garvey.
She was a huge Sooner fan and attended many basketball games, and seldom missed an opportunity to watch OU basketball or football games on TV. She also loved cooking, shows, especially Paula Deen.
Billye Joy was a loyal member of the First Christian Church of Ardmore, and attended every Sunday until her illness prevented her from doing so.
She loved her hometown, and remained close to many of her school mates. She adored her mother, father, and brothers. She was a wonderful Mom, and even better, Mammaw and a loving Aunt, and she will be greatly missed.
Billye Joy is survived by her husband, Tommy C.; her three children and their spouses, Tommy Don and Marilyn Craighead of Norman, Mel Van and Deana Craighead of Ardmore, and Lana and Steve Martin, also of Ardmore; grandchildren, Brandon and wife, Lindsey Martin, Chase Martin, Whitney Buck and husband, Dylan, and Jeffrey Don Craighead, all of Norman; Megan Engels and husband, Chris of Houston, and Kyle Van Craighead and Hailey Craighead, of Ardmore; and a soon to be born great-granddaughter. Billye Joy is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Gayle Cummings, Bonnie Hammett, Billie Simmons and her husband, Gary, along with many other dear relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be her four grandsons, Don Rhodes and Kevin Butler, along with honorary pallbearers, her dear nephews, Terry and Gary Cummings.
A family visitation will be from 6-7 this evening at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Cross Timbers Hospice, The First Christian Church or a charity of your choice.
Funeral services for Billye Joy Craighead will be 2 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2012, at the First Christian Church with the Rev. Truman Ferguson officiating with B.J. Gensic assisting. Interment will follow to Rose Hill Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Craddock Funeral Home.
Following a year long battle with brain cancer, Billye Joy passed away peacefully at her home with family in attendance on January 2, 2012. Born Billye Joy Cummings in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on November 20, 1928, to the late John E. and Della Mae Thomas Cummings, she was the baby girl in the family with two older brothers, Vanoy and Don, both of whom doted on her and preceded her in death.
In her youth, Billye Joy loved performing at various functions, playing the piano and singing and when she could no longer play, she still enjoyed listening to her player piano.
After graduating from Ardmore High School in 1946, she moved to Oklahoma City where she worked as a secretary for Devon Oil Company. Soon, though, she returned to Ardmore, where that experience helped her obtain a secretarial position with the Westheimer-Neustadt Corporation.
In 1946, while watching her brother, Don, play softball, she met Tommy C. Craighead. Three years later on April 16, 1949, the two were married in Gainesville, Texas. On July 4, 1951, their first child, Tommy Don was born. Apparently liking the month of July and a spacing of four years, a second son, Mel Van was born July, 1955, a daughter, Lana followed in July, 1959.
Billye Joy was always a great mom, homemaker and cook, and the best pie-maker in the world, but when Tommy left Samedan to start his own business, she took on the added role of Tommy's first secretary, often staying up late typing oil and gas leases for him.
Throughout her life, Billye Joy was an avid baseball fan, and went to all her husband's and brother's games and later her children's and grandchildren's Little League and softball games. She especially loved major league baseball, and attended many games in St. Louis and San Diego. She could hardly wait for the season to start every year, and stayed up late every night watching her beloved San Diego Padres on television. Her favorite Padre even lent his name to her cherished pet dog – Garvey.
She was a huge Sooner fan and attended many basketball games, and seldom missed an opportunity to watch OU basketball or football games on TV. She also loved cooking, shows, especially Paula Deen.
Billye Joy was a loyal member of the First Christian Church of Ardmore, and attended every Sunday until her illness prevented her from doing so.
She loved her hometown, and remained close to many of her school mates. She adored her mother, father, and brothers. She was a wonderful Mom, and even better, Mammaw and a loving Aunt, and she will be greatly missed.
Billye Joy is survived by her husband, Tommy C.; her three children and their spouses, Tommy Don and Marilyn Craighead of Norman, Mel Van and Deana Craighead of Ardmore, and Lana and Steve Martin, also of Ardmore; grandchildren, Brandon and wife, Lindsey Martin, Chase Martin, Whitney Buck and husband, Dylan, and Jeffrey Don Craighead, all of Norman; Megan Engels and husband, Chris of Houston, and Kyle Van Craighead and Hailey Craighead, of Ardmore; and a soon to be born great-granddaughter. Billye Joy is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Gayle Cummings, Bonnie Hammett, Billie Simmons and her husband, Gary, along with many other dear relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be her four grandsons, Don Rhodes and Kevin Butler, along with honorary pallbearers, her dear nephews, Terry and Gary Cummings.
A family visitation will be from 6-7 this evening at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Cross Timbers Hospice, The First Christian Church or a charity of your choice.
Following a year long battle with brain cancer, Billye Joy passed away peacefully at her home with family in attendance on January 2, 2012. Born Billye Joy Cummings in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on November 20, 1928, to the late John E. and Della Mae Thomas Cummings, she was the baby girl in the family with two older brothers, Vanoy and Don, both of whom doted on her and preceded her in death.
In her youth, Billye Joy loved performing at various functions, playing the piano and singing and when she could no longer play, she still enjoyed listening to her player piano.
After graduating from Ardmore High School in 1946, she moved to Oklahoma City where she worked as a secretary for Devon Oil Company. Soon, though, she returned to Ardmore, where that experience helped her obtain a secretarial position with the Westheimer-Neustadt Corporation.
In 1946, while watching her brother, Don, play softball, she met Tommy C. Craighead. Three years later on April 16, 1949, the two were married in Gainesville, Texas. On July 4, 1951, their first child, Tommy Don was born. Apparently liking the month of July and a spacing of four years, a second son, Mel Van was born July, 1955, a daughter, Lana followed in July, 1959.
Billye Joy was always a great mom, homemaker and cook, and the best pie-maker in the world, but when Tommy left Samedan to start his own business, she took on the added role of Tommy's first secretary, often staying up late typing oil and gas leases for him.
Throughout her life, Billye Joy was an avid baseball fan, and went to all her husband's and brother's games and later her children's and grandchildren's Little League and softball games. She especially loved major league baseball, and attended many games in St. Louis and San Diego. She could hardly wait for the season to start every year, and stayed up late every night watching her beloved San Diego Padres on television. Her favorite Padre even lent his name to her cherished pet dog – Garvey.
She was a huge Sooner fan and attended many basketball games, and seldom missed an opportunity to watch OU basketball or football games on TV. She also loved cooking, shows, especially Paula Deen.
Billye Joy was a loyal member of the First Christian Church of Ardmore, and attended every Sunday until her illness prevented her from doing so.
She loved her hometown, and remained close to many of her school mates. She adored her mother, father, and brothers. She was a wonderful Mom, and even better, Mammaw and a loving Aunt, and she will be greatly missed.
Billye Joy is survived by her husband, Tommy C.; her three children and their spouses, Tommy Don and Marilyn Craighead of Norman, Mel Van and Deana Craighead of Ardmore, and Lana and Steve Martin, also of Ardmore; grandchildren, Brandon and wife, Lindsey Martin, Chase Martin, Whitney Buck and husband, Dylan, and Jeffrey Don Craighead, all of Norman; Megan Engels and husband, Chris of Houston, and Kyle Van Craighead and Hailey Craighead, of Ardmore; and a soon to be born great-granddaughter. Billye Joy is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Gayle Cummings, Bonnie Hammett, Billie Simmons and her husband, Gary, along with many other dear relatives and friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be her four grandsons, Don Rhodes and Kevin Butler, along with honorary pallbearers, her dear nephews, Terry and Gary Cummings.
A family visitation will be from 6-7 this evening at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Cross Timbers Hospice, The First Christian Church or a charity of your choice.
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