Ruby Buckner-Tharp

Ruby Joyce Buckner Tharp daughter of Walter Henry and Clemmie Marie Tucker Buckner was born November 21, 1939 in Stilwell, Oklahoma and departed this life on October 8, 2009 in Stilwell, Oklahoma at the age of 69 years, 10 months and 17 days. Joyce was preceded in death by her father; Walter Henry Buckner and 1 niece; Kathy LaDawn Bradley. She was a 1957 graduate of Stilwell High School and a 1961 graduate of Northeastern State College. She began teaching in Missouri in 1961, before moving to Anchorage, AK where she continued to teach. She married Jimmy Tharp in 1962 while in Alaska. She was an avid sports fan. She loved watching sports especially if it was her children and grandchildren playing. She also loved to play bingo and was an avid reader. Joyce is survived by a very loving family that includes her mother: Clemmie Buckner of the home, 5 children; Timothy Dane Tharp and wife Tami of Grand Prairie, TX, Anthony Shane Tharp and wife Dudsi along with their children Andrea, Alexis and Anthony all of Mesquite, TX, Christorpher Jim C.J. Tharp and his wife Sheri along with their children Corban, Logan, and Libby of Tacoma, WA, Trenton Tyler Tharp and his wife Shondra along with their children Jaden and Bryson all of Mesquite, TX, and Tamarra Tharp of Stilwell, OK. 6 siblings; Lawrence Buckner and wife Barbara of Coweta, OK , Dowell Buckner of Stilwell, OK, Carol Bradley and Husband Tom of Wagoner, OK, Gayle Teel and husband John, Shirley Ann Buckner-Krug and Sharon Worsham and husband Robert all of Stilwell, OK, 1 step sister; Linda McGraw of Joplin, MO, 2 step brothers; Bill Guinn and wife Linda of Joplin, MO, and Larry Guinn and wife Pam of Bluejacket, OK, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends also survive her. Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2009 at the Church of Christ in Stilwell, Oklahoma with Lance Worsham and Joe Smith officiating. Interment followed at Stilwell City Cemetery under the direction of RobertsReed-Culver Funeral Home.