Loy Joan Holderread went to be with Jesus on August 5th, 2025 at the age of 83. Joan kept her family at the forefront of her life and always prioritized her loved ones, friends, and family members. As the matriarch of the Holderread family, she was "Joanie" to her husband of 63 years, "Mom" to 3 daughters, and "Grams" to 6 grandkids, plus a bonus granddaughter-in-law. Joan loved her family deeply and her husband, children, and grandchildren were a deep source of joy and pride.

Joan was born on May 11, 1942 to Lester Franklin and Goldie Faye (Hamilton) Burgess. As an only child, Joan was close to her parents and they treasured time with her. They shared a love for artistry, which would play out in Joan's life primarily through her talent for creating stained glass art. Joan graduated from high school in Oklahoma City with the class of 1960. She then moved to Stillwater to attend college at Oklahoma State University, where she quickly met the love of her life, Glenn Holderread. To hear her tell it, he was bold to express his interest in her right off the bat, and he often called to coax her into courting him. She recalled writing to her mom about "having met a real cowboy" in Glenn. Given that their union began at OSU, it brought Joan joy that several of her kids and grandkids would go on to become Oklahoma State Cowboys, too.

Joan always had a heart for children and a gift for hospitality and teaching. She completed a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood development, and she and Glenn established their home and family in Cushing, Oklahoma. She went on to start Cushing's first HeadStart program for preschool children. She served as teacher in many capacities, from Headstart to Sunday school, often leading children's church, youth camps, and teaching her own daughters. She loved being a mom and ensured that her daughters gained many life skills as kids. She passed her love for teaching on, and was very proud that several of her kids and grandkids now work in the field of education in some capacity.

Though she wore many hats, one thing was constant in Joan's life: her love for Jesus. Joan's zeal for the Lord was evident. In different seasons, she served as a short-term missionary, intercessor, children's church leader, and Sunday school teacher. In her final years, she could often be found serving newcomers or reaching out on behalf of her final church home at Solid Rock Church. Her 3 girls and their families are a testament to her steadfast faith and prayer life.

At every family get together and holiday celebration, Joan was quick to bring the focus back to the Lord, and back to gratitude for His provision in their family. Joan had a knack for marking time with intention and celebrating others well. Not only did she believe wholeheartedly in 6 month birthday cards and Easter baskets, on a monthly basis she sent cards full of Scripture to each grandchild, in addition to other friends and family members. In the final months of her life, she sent handwritten cards to all the fathers in her church congregation for Father's Day. Intentional and straight forward, Joan believed in the lost art of written communication, and many were touched by her prayerful cards.

Joan often enjoyed putting puzzles together, completing stained glass pieces, cooking, and reading. She particularly loved reading God's Word, and could often be found with her Bible in her lap, laughing over a footnote or jotting down a scripture reference to share with a friend. A teacher through and through, she taught her family by example what a life rooted in God's Word can look like. She prayed often and fervently for her friends and family. Even in her final days, the peace she carried was evident and her confidence in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was palpable. Though her bout with cancer is not the journey she would have chosen, her steadfast faith and trust in the Lord was unchanging.

Joan would have wanted her memorial service to be less about her and more about the Lord's work in her life, and was quick to point her family back to gratitude for all God has done in her lifetime. Joan's celebration of life will be held on August 23rd at 11am, at her church, Solid Rock.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Goldie.

Those left to continue her legacy of love, faith, and grace include her husband, Glenn, daughters, Sara Jane Wright and husband Brett, Ann Rene Yankunas and husband Dan, and Cindy Sue Sturm and husband Mike, 6 grandchildren, Koln Wright and wife Elizabeth, Abbi Wright, Austin Yankunas, Jacob Sturm, Katie Sturm, and Luke Sturm, as well as many other family members and friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the home health team and lifelong friends who took such wonderful care of Joan in her final days, particularly Michelle Moore-Branscum and her children, and the Judith Karman Hospice nurses.