Beverly Ann Alspaugh Joyce

Beverly Ann Alspaugh Joyce was born June 25, 1936, in Sentinel, Oklahoma. Beverly was the third child of Frank Alspaugh and Katie Bailey Alspaugh. She and her older siblings William “Bill” and Katherine “Kay” resided in Sentinel until Katie’s death when Beverly was two years old. Both parents enjoyed music and singing in a church mixed quartet with their good friend Ruby Mitchell. After Katie passed, Frank married Ruby and the family moved to Cheyenne and later relocated to Clinton, OK. As time passed, two more children were born, James Franklin “Jim” Alspaugh and Jane Alspaugh.  Beverly treasured all her siblings and had special relationships with each of them.   

As a young person, Beverly participated in a wide variety of activities with her best friend Anne Goodwin by her side. She had a passion for singing and was involved in multiple women’s ensembles and musical productions.  Beverly also played the piano and the flute, was a cheerleader, and read many, many books. During the summers she attended Camp Fire Camps with her older sister Kay, a Director for the Camp Fire Girls in Colorado and New Mexico.  She loved being a counselor at the camps in Tulsa, where she met her good friend and future sister-in-law, Donna Ross.  With the strong support of Ruby Alspaugh, Beverly, and all her siblings were encouraged to attend university for higher education.  After high school graduation, Beverly attended Oklahoma College for Women,  participating in student government and theatrical productions, often having the lead role. She then graduated from Oklahoma University with a double major, in Vocal Music Education and French.  Beverly married James C Hogan of Clinton after college and had two lovely daughters.  After her divorce, she completed a Masters Degree in Library Science.  In 1971, Beverly married her second husband, Leonard Wayne Joyce who she was happily married to for 32 years.  Beverly and Wayne resided in Norman where she was employed for 23 years as Reference Librarian at the University of Oklahoma.   During these years she and fellow academic, Gwen Davis, co-authored a series of books on female authors and poets. She also enjoyed teaching Gateway classes to OU freshmen.  Beverly completed her PhD in Communications in 1998; and retired from the University in 2002.   

A student of the world, Beverly loved to travel returning with stories and pictures of her cross-continental adventures to share with grandchildren.  Thoughtful and generous, each trip brought exotic treasures, perhaps jade from China or a Russian Faberge egg.  She traveled abroad many times with the Jonathan Griffith Singers gracing stages in Europe, and North and South America with a favorite experience at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  She also sang with the Canterbury Chorus, and the OU Chamber Choir, and was a 25-year member of the Norman Community Choir. Her husband, Wayne, was always there, indispensable, working the sound, toting supplies, ready for the next adventure. They attended and supported many local events and organizations together.  Community involvement and education were priorities throughout her life. Beverly was a 60-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter DZ, contributing to the advancement of women’s education. After the passing of Wayne Joyce, Beverly continued to travel abroad with her good friend Sydney Brown. Sydney and Beverly also enjoyed sponsoring OU International students.

Beverly was devoted to her daughters sharing her love of travel, art, and books greatly influencing their love of the arts and reading.  A good mystery or cookbook was always at hand. After retirement, she was a docent at the OU Fred Jones Art Museum and told many entertaining stories about elementary school tour groups.  Additionally, she was a member of several book clubs, and lunch bunches, and was always ready for a good movie. She carried a love of flowers throughout her life, particularly yellow roses. 

She is survived by daughter Ashley Hogan Hunt, husband Michael, and grandson Mason Hunt, of Norman, OK; her younger daughter Kate Hogan Flores, husband Pat, grandson Alex Flores, of Chapel Hill, NC, and granddaughter Anne Flores, of Chicago IL; her brother, Jim Alspaugh and family reside in Oklahoma City, OK, and sister Jane Lorenz and family, of Thomas, OK;  as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband, Wayne Joyce, her parents, Frank, Katie, and Ruby Alspaugh, brother Bill Alspaugh, and sister Kay Alspaugh.

Celebration of Life services will be announced at a later date.