Joan Rose Kirksey, an Atoka, OK resident for the past  41 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 21.  Joan was born in Utica New York on August 3,1932 to Vincent and Marion (Suchey) Karwacki. She attended school at the Utica Free Academy and received an Associate's Degree in Business. Mrs. Kirksey worked several years as a purchasing agent at the Mcalester Army Ammunition plant retiring in 1988. Prior to that, she worked for the Department of Defence (Navy) the Pentagon, Andrews Air Force Base and the Justice Department in Washington D.C.

In 1953, Joan married Sgt. Melvan H. Kirksey at Bolling AF Base Chapel in Washington D.C.. They celebrated 70 years of marriage before her passing.  She was very active at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Atoka, and a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. In her retirement years with husband, Mel, she was an avid ballroom dancer and was most proud of her four children.

She is survived by her husband Dr. Melvan Kirksey of Atoka; children, Melvan H. Kirksey Jr. of Jacksonville, Fl, Lisa L. Kirksey and Jeanie Locicero of Placitas, NM, Alan J. Kirksey and wife Ginger of Missouri; Melody C. Jones and husband Michael of Clearwater FL; grandchildren, Christopher Vincent Kirksey and wife Madison of Austin, TX, Jessica Ana Kirksey of Brandenton, FL, Sarah Kirksey of Gulfport, FL, Daniel Kirksey and wife Chasity of San Francisco, CA, Mikayla Jones of Clearwater, FL; great-grandchildren, Iris, Beau, Cashus, and Brock.

Visitation or vigil prayer services will be at Browns Funeral home Thursday evening August 3, 6pm to 8pm and then funeral Liturgy is Friday at 2pm also at Browns.