Mary Joyce Hurst

A memorial service will be held for Mary Joyce (Kerr) Hurst at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Walters with Rev. Brantley Tillery officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters.

Mary Joyce was born in 1934 at her parent’s home near Cookietown, Oklahoma to W. B. (Bill) and Leola (Dean) Kerr and departed this life in Comanche on February 5, 2023, at the age of 88 years.

Mary Joyce attended Union Valley School through her junior year, then transferred to and graduated from Walters High School in 1952. As a student, she was active in 4-H and won the National Health Award at the National 4-H Congress in Chicago, IL. She also excelled in basketball as an all-area forward her junior year.

After high school she attended and graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now OSU) with a degree in Home Economics. She married Phil Hurst in 1956 and became the loving mother to their daughters Robin and Wendy.

Mary Joyce was a gifted musician. She could listen to a song on the radio once and then play that song on the piano from memory. She channeled this talent as the pianist and organist for the Presbyterian Church in Sulphur for many years. She was also instrumental in fund raising efforts for their new church structure.

Helping others was of paramount importance to her. She was a “roll up your sleeves” kind of person. If anything needed doing, she was always willing, able, and ready. Whether it was raking hay on the tractor, building a closet, or sewing a wedding dress without a pattern, she was up to the task; all-the-while wearing her signature cowboy boots.

In 1989 Mary Joyce moved to Norman where she became a property manager/agent for multiple rental properties. That same year, she also launched her business as the preferred seamstress/alterations professional for the OU Air Force ROTC. As a result of those efforts, she was selected in 2000 as Woman of the Year for the Norman Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was also a member of the Norman Chapter of the OSU Alumni Association. She was an avid fan of OSU football, basketball, and baseball. She was also a lifelong New York Yankees fan.

She is survived by her daughters, Robin (Andrew) and Wendy (Kenny). Grandsons Sky and Tyler. Step-grandchildren Kaden and Ranzi and step great-grandchildren Jaxon and Amara. She is survived by her brother David (Patti) and sister Janell(Morris). She is also survived by four nieces Deb (Steve), Jana (Chris), Stephanie (Ray), and Michelle (Trent); two nephews Russell (Carrie) and Dean (Robbie); great-nieces Claire (Alex), Leah, Chloe, and Aurora; great-nephews Lucas, Trevor, Bradan, Brodey, Eli, and Riley.

She was preceded in death by her parents and companion, Gene Corrotto.

Memorial donations may be made to Cotton County 4-H at Cotton County Extension, 301 N. Broadway, Room 4, Walters, OK 73572.