Betty “Joyce” Hartzel White, 99, of Yukon, Oklahoma, died February 22, 2026, at her care home,The Carriage House. How do I put 99 years into a couple of paragraphs? I could do the ordinary obituary but she deserves so much more than that. Joyce was born on July 24, 1926, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to Roy William Hartzel and Esther Verl (Vaden) Hartzel. She married William Robert White in 1947 and remained married to him for 61 years until his death in 2008. Joyce worked as a district manager for Congressman Glen English for twenty plus years. She loved politics, and became a true blue member of the Democratic Woman’s League. She also loved the arts and was a member of the Orchestra League of Oklahoma. While living in Surrey Hills, she became a member and eventually president of the Garden Club there. She was an organizer and a leader. Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, William Robert White, and her youngest son, Richard Robert White. She is survived by her brother, James R. Knox, Jr.; her son, Gary William White; his wife Mary Ann; daughter, Barbara Gale Keesee and her husband Rodger; daughter in law, Donna Marie Bertrem and her husband Gary; her grandchildren, Dustin Ryan White, Barbara Nichole Turner, Russell William White and his wife, Kristin, and Erin Leigh Lillich and her husband, David. And last, but never least, her eight great-grandchildren; Cassandra (Cassie), Madison, Colton, Hailee, Katelyn, Addisyn, Anna, and Thomas (Tommy). Joyce was fiercely independent, feisty, loyal, and oh so funny. She loved reading, shopping, gardening, movies, her family and best friends. Jan and Christa. She adored animals to the point where she had to be stopped from donating to every Save the (fill in the blank). We settled on a monthly donation to the ASPCA. She made Christmases magical, and family get togethers full of food and fun. After our father died in 2008, she lived independently (and drove!) until the age of 97, when she moved to The Carriage House in Yukon, Oklahoma, where she was cared for with love and respect. We will forever be indebted to these wonderful ladies (Angie, Doris, Rhonda, Tiffany, Danika, Lexi and Sherry - and Boonie, the dog who loved her and whom she loved). 

Please - in lieu of flowers, she would love it if you would send donations to The Underdogs Rescue, 11012 Coachman’s Road, Yukon, Oklahoma. theunderdogsrescue@gmail.com 

She was Joyce, Mama, Gigi, Grandmere…truly, the Queen of Everything. She will be missed beyond measure