Joye L. Oakley

Joye Lea Oakley (née Corley) died peacefully in her home in Norman, Oklahoma on June 13, 2024at the age of seventy-two (72).

Joye was born on September 9, 1951, in Muskogee, Oklahoma to A.J. and Billie Corley. She graduated from Muskogee High School in 1969 with a diploma. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oklahoma State University in 1973 and later earned a Master's degree in Education with post graduate work and certification in School Administration, obtaining her school Principal’s license. She later completed requirements for National Certification, earning her the status as a “highly qualified” teacher. She began teaching in 1973 at the Haysville, Kansas, Unified School district where she also sponsored the school newspaper. In 1974, Joye married Michael Thomas Oakley (Mike), then a law student, and began teaching English and journalism at Moore High School, Moore, Oklahoma, and sponsoring the school newspaper. She flourished under the mentorship of Lois Evans and Barbara Blake. She later repaid their kindness by mentoring other teachers. Joye taught at Moore High School until she and Mike welcomed their first child, Michael Thomas Oakley, Jr. on August 10,1980. She stayed out of the classroom to tend to Michael’s needs and she became pregnant with the couple’s second child. William “Boomer” Oakley was born on July 25, 1986. He died just hours after his birth. Joye began to realize she missed the students and the daily interaction in the classroom. She started work on her Master's degree in education. While a student, Dr. Frank McQuarrie offered her an opportunity as an adjunct instructor to teach classroom management to student teachers in the University of Oklahoma College of Education. These students were experiencing the classroom for the first time. She observed budding teachers in the classroom and helped them identify and conquer obstacles they faced. As part of her duties as adjunct, Joye was able to travel across the United States to see education programs from The Bronx, Boston, Ohio and other jurisdictions under a grant from the Danforth Foundation. The purpose was to assist and evaluate programs receiving funding from the Foundation for bringing multi- disciplinary programs to schools. Joye would later put her knowledge of multi-disciplinary programs to use when she became administrator for Positive Tomorrows, a joint program between Oklahoma City Public Schools and The Positive Tomorrows Board of community representatives. This program allowed Joye to utilize social services with the school system to implement a transition center for homeless children to enter public schools. She developed the skill set to liaise between a community board and the school system. Positive Tomorrows is still operational and offering services to the homeless community. Joye still missed the classroom and the contact with students. She returned to her beloved students at Central Mid High teaching English and sponsoring the school newspaper. Joye enjoyed working with students closely and the teamwork required to publish newspapers. When her principal, Dr. Jonell Jones, moved to open Alcott Middle School, Joye went with her. She taught seventh grade there and she was named teacher of the year at Alcott. Still, when the newspaper sponsor position opened at Norman High School, she applied and got the job. At Norman her newspaper team won numerous awards and was the first “on line” high school newspaper in Oklahoma. The newspaper was named best newspaper by the Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association. Joye concluded her teaching career at Norman High School, retiring in 2014. Joye served on the board of the Cleveland and McClain County Retired Teachers Association until her passing. She was a dedicated educator, but her interests were not confined to academics. Joye was a gourmet level cook, skillful guitarist and a natural grandma. One of Joye’s greatest pleasures was spending time with her grandchildren, Bon and Liv. Joye was an accomplished woman and a loving wife, mother and grandma. It was impossible to be anywhere in Norman with Joye without hearing “Hi, Ms. Oakley,” from one of her former students. Widely loved and respected by colleagues and students alike, she made an impact on many lives.

Joye is survived by her husband, Michael T. Oakley; her son, Michael Oakley Jr.; daughter-in- law Susan Oakley; her grandchildren Bon and Liv Oakley; her brother Mark Corley of Muskogee and nephews Kevin Corley and Marshall Eslick.

She was preceded in death by her parents Billie and A.J. Corley, son William “Boomer” Oakley, and sister Kim Corley.

A memorial has been established in Joye's memory with Frontier Hospice of Norman or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City.

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