Joy Walker Stone, 84, passed away on January 18, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

She was born in New Boston, Texas to Ruby McClendon Walker and Thomas Melton Walker. She grew up in a loving family that valued education, creativity and equality. She married Harold Ben Stone and settled in Dallas, where they raised three children. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education and a Master of Arts in Fine Arts from Texas Woman’s University. Her thesis research focused on Navajo weaving. She began her career as an art educator in the Dallas Independent School District and continued at the Dallas Craft Guild and Dallas Community College. For twenty years, she served as Director of Specials Programs at Tulsa Community College, where she developed comprehensive community adult education classes. Working from her studio, she made award-winning art in a variety of media. She was a skilled jeweler, weaver, calligrapher, photographer, textile artist, painter, and designer. She built an adobe house in New Mexico where she spent summers with friends and family and also built a house in Mexico where she lived for five years. Joy was an adventuresome world traveler and curious explorer. She was an active member of All Souls Unitarian Church. Spiritually positive, she saw the best in all people. A pioneer woman artist, art educator and college administrator, Joy was an inspiring role model to everyone who knew her. She will be remembered for her generosity of spirit and her passion for life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, her sister Joan Walker Simpson, and her brother Bob L. Walker. She is survived by her children: Harold Ben Stone, Jr. (Ann Nelson Stone), Judy Stone-Nunneley, Timothy Stone, and grandson Stephen Stone (Elizabeth Stone), her great-grandson Sterling Stone, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be at All Souls Unitarian Church on Saturday, March 18 at 1pm. Memorial contributions may be made to The Navajo Water Project (navajowaterproject.org).