Joy Lynn McMillon
1941-2022
“I’m so blessed, and I’m ready to go home.”
Those were among the final words that Joy Lynn Cole McMillon said to her church family before she left this earth for her eternal reward on Dec. 10, 2022.
Joy was born Oct. 15, 1941 in Wichita Falls, Texas. She grew up in Midwest City, Okla., and attended Oklahoma Christian College (now University), graduating in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree. She earned a master’s from Central State College (now the University of Central Oklahoma).
She married Lynn A McMillon on Sept. 1, 1962. She taught English and supported her husband as he attended graduate school in Memphis, Tenn., and later at Baylor University in Texas.
Her husband’s career brought him to Oklahoma Christian University, where Joy served in a variety of roles and ministries, accumulating nearly 40 years of service spread across seven decades. She worked as an instructor of English and a public relations officer. For nearly a decade she served as coordinator of the Oklahoma Christian Women’s Association (OCWA).
Shortly after the university acquired The Christian Chronicle, Joy served as the newspaper’s managing editor and later served as associate editor. After stepping back from that role, she continued to serve as an administrative assistant, working with the newspaper’s database and proofreading stories, until her death.
She was an active member of the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City. For 16 years she directed and delivered the main weekly lesson for the church’s Center for Women’s Bible Study (CWBS). This was a major ministry in her life to women and loved training and mentoring them.
A gifted speaker, she was a widely sought-after presenter at women’s conferences and national events. She and her husband also conducted marriage enrichment seminars for church groups nationally.
Joy had a heart for Christians worldwide. She made 32 international trips, most of which involved teaching, mission oversight and encouragement. She and her husband led four international campaigns of Oklahoma Christian students to Australia, Greece and England.
She and a friend once owned and operated a consignment dress shop, dubbed The Snooty Fox. They joked that they wore more of the clothes than they sold. She adored her family, to whom she was known as “Mother” and “Mom” by her sons, “Mimi” by her grandchildren and “Dear” by her husband.
She and Lynn recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. Other survivors include their sons, Jeff (Sydney) McMillon of Tulsa and Greg (Regina) McMillon of Edmond, Okla.; grandchildren Shelby (Michael) Cooper of Oklahoma City, Savannah (Jordan) Phillips of Edmond, Hannah McMillon of Edmond, Haley McMillon of Edmond (engaged to Walker LaRue), Caden McMillon of Edmond, Sydney Massey of Shawnee and Kaylea Massey of Edmond.
Joy had a heart for missions and was a longtime supporter of the Village of Hope, a ministry that serves orphans and at-risk children in Ghana, West Africa. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent through Heartbeat for Hope, a nonprofit that supports the Village of Hope. Make donations online at heartbeatforhope.com or mail checks to Heartbeat for Hope, P.O. Box 2071, Edmond, OK 73083
Family will greet friends from 5-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 14th at Matthews Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Memorial Road Church of Christ with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.