Joyce Josephine Snow

Joyce Josephine Parsons Snow

Joyce Josephine Parsons Snow peacefully passed away at her home surrounded by family on February 17, 2026, one day after celebrating her 98th birthday. Born west of Granite on February 16, 1928, she lived a long and full life dedicated to her faith, family, education, and service to others.

Graduating as valedictorian from Ozark High School at the age of 16, she moved to Oklahoma City to attend Draughon's Business College and then went to work for Halliburton. She applied to the FBI and was offered a position but she declined as the job would have required her to begin work the Monday following her wedding.

She met Edward Snow in the cotton patch when she was fourteen. When their paths crossed again, it was after his return from WWII. They were married in Oklahoma City on April 16, 1949 and in the coming years welcomed their three children, Mark, Dana and Starla It was a lifelong partnership filled with family, love and shared values for 64 years.

She earned her degree in education from SWOSU and while waiting for a teaching position to become available, she worked for DHS for several years. In 1969, Joyce began teaching at Mangum Junior High and devoted 18 years to teaching English and English Literature to 7th and 8th graders. She poured her passion into her classroom and taught her students to think critically, creatively, and independently. She strongly believed that education opened doors, along side other core beliefs - the importance of curiosity, imagination, and standing strong in one's beliefs.

Beyond her school days, Joyce extended her gift for teaching to the community. She volunteered tirelessly through her church, teaching Sunday school, serving at church camps, going on "Mystery Rambles" and supporting others in countless ways. In the evenings, she taught adult classes to help individuals earn their GED. She was a volunteer teacher at SOAR. She celebrated every success story and milestone achieved by her students. She delivered meals for Meals on Wheels bringing not just food but kindness and conversation to those in need. She was a dedicated member of several other community organizations as well.

Joyce approached life with curiosity and joy, something she instilled in all three of her children. One of the greatest gifts she passed along was the joy of learning. She loved studying the Bible, organic gardening, reading, singing, music, canning, and teaching others to can. She loved God with all her heart and let that love guide her every day. She cherished her family above all else, finding her greatest joy in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. She provided them with wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional love.

Joyce lived with grace, purpose, and generosity until the very end. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched - through the family she adored, the students she inspired, the friends she uplifted, and quiet acts of service that defined her days. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of her family and all those who knew and loved her.

If you could ask her today how she was, she would say "I am blessed".

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward and infant daughter, Pamela, and twin grandchildren Jessica Renee and Jeremy Cole Hopper, her parents, Arthur F. and Naomi Caddell Parsons, one sister, Maurice Hager, four brothers, Caddell (Rooster) Parsons, Paul Parsons, Nall (Peewee) Parsons and Larry Parsons.

She is survived by three children, Mark Snow and wife Wilma of Willow, Ok, daughter Dana Cornett and husband Craig, of LoneWolf, OK, Daughter Starla Fussell and husband Cody of Tulsa, OK, five grandchildren, Richie Cameron, Justin Spears, Allison Hopper, Cale Fussell and Carly Fussell, four great grandchildren Cole, Jolie, Lane and JoJo, sisters, Kati Jackson of Austin, Texas, Lynda Mihills of Dripping Springs, Texas and brother Ed Parsons of Prescott Valley, Arizona and sister-in-law Kay Parsons of Olustee, Oklahoma along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a special caregiver Karen Goodson.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorials be made to the Joyce Snow Scholarship payable to Mangum Public School Scholarship Fund, 400 North Pennsylvania Avenue. Mangum, Oklahoma 73554 or The Lighthouse Church youth fund,128 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Mangum, Oklahoma 73554.

Visitation: 4:00 p.m. ~ 6:00 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 2026

Lighthouse Church

Mangum, Oklahoma

Memorial: 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 23, 2026

Lighthouse Church

Mangum, Oklahoma