JoAnn Buckholts Bullard

JoAnn Buckholts Bullard

1939-2024

JoAnn Buckholts Bullard was a force of nature. She was born September 20, 1939, and she was 1 hour and 47 minutes before her twin sister, Jenann. We all know it was because she couldn’t wait to see the world and get busy living her life. Her mom, Minnie Buckholts told us she felt like she could float after having those girls, while their dad, E.J. Buckholts paced in the waiting room. JoAnn was more fragile than Jenann and suffered pneumonia 3 times.

The third round was met with a “new drug” called Penicillin which worked its’ miracle. She and Jenann grew up in Duncan, OK and became famous for driving the Buck Mobile which was a Woody, and carried loads of giggling girls around town. In her junior year she was injured in a car wreck which resulted in a broken neck. She was treated in Oklahoma City and had a lengthy recovery. While she was lying in the hospital bed she made a deal with God, that if he would let her live, she would devote her life to helping others and making the most out of every single day. She kept her promise.

She went on to marry Mickey E. Bullard from Comanche, OK, and he affectionately called her a Yankee because she lived 10 miles north of Comanche. He was a stickler for order, and JoAnn, not so much. Of course, they married, and it lasted 44 years. They had a daughter in 1959 and named her Katrina. They were devoted parents and gave her the world.

When Katrina was in grade school, JoAnn returned to college and graduated with a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She graduated with a 4.0. She would take Katrina to class with her, and she participated in Vietnam protests and became involved as much as she could be to social and political causes.

JoAnn started her career in the OKC public school system and loved being a speech therapist in some of the less advantaged schools. All the kids were special to her.

She was appointed as an instructor at OU School of Medicine, Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, (ORL). She served as director of speech therapy services for Children’s Memorial and University Hospital. This entailed lecturing to junior and senior medical students and providing instructions for resident physicians in the Dept. Of ORL. She was recruited by Dr. Rick Talbot to start the first hospital program in independent private practice. She went on to implement 7 other hospitals. She was named Outstanding Speech Pathologist in 1975. She also started a private practice in Oklahoma City and practiced for many years. During this time, she specialized in swallow therapy for stroke patients. She traveled the country learning as much as she could, and she became one of the top swallow specialists in the country. After private practice she worked at Edmond Hospital and worked mainly with stroke patients. Doctors would consult with her, and they took her knowledge and expertise very seriously. While she was at Edmond Hospital, she suffered an infection that affected her heart. It was a serious condition causing her heart to

lose much of its’ pumping ability. She was treated by Dr. Brook D. Scott, who she came to love and admire for his knowledge and precision. She got back on her feet just in time to care for Mickey who had been diagnosed with oral cancer. She worked at Edmond hospital, while caring for him. He passed away June 5, 2003. JoAnn had grieved for months, and she decided to join any and all clubs in the Edmond area. She slowly adjusted to a new life, and she made hundreds of friends who love her to this day. She was president of AAUW Edmond chapter, and she hosted hundreds of parties at her house and on the patio.

Testament of her love for parties was a count of 47 chairs on her patio.

JoAnn had a passion for OU Football, holding season tickets for decades, she also loved Lake Texoma and the cabin in Caney Creek. That cabin was famous for fun, good food, and hayrides which consisted of a handful of grass thrown in the back of a truck and everyone loading up in the back to cruise around the lake and see surrounding friends.

Her laugh could be heard for miles. It wasn’t a giggle, and it was infectious. We always found her in a crowd of thousands by listening for the laugh. She was prone to leading cheers against Univ. Of Texas and Nebraska on picnic tables, and we thought she was headed for another career as she inquired about becoming a Hooter’s waitress at the tender age of 73; but working weekends didn’t appeal to her.

To say she will be missed is a huge understatement. She lived her life to the absolute fullest and she loved her life. She was devoted to family, and friends. She leaves behind her daughter, Katrina and her husband, Leighton Kirkpatrick, her twin sister, Jenann and her husband, Charlie Allen, her brother E.J. and his wife, Carole, and her sister, George Anna and her husband, Wayne Parker, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

We want to give a very heartfelt thank you to her doctors and nurses who treated her for many years. She truly loved all of you and had utmost respect for you.

Dr. Charles Te who extended her life to unbelievable years. She loved giving a talk to his patients who had received heart operations so they would know it was possible to live a full and happy life. She did this with a foam Sooner Schooner on her head.

Dr. Pamela Craven who became a good friend and a source of great comfort to her family.

Every P.A. and nurse who treated her in every E.R., hospital, home health, private nurses, and hospice care givers Joy and Sarah; along with Brook and the staff at Veraden Assisted Living. You all made her remaining time here bearable.

Please join us for visitation from 12-8 p.m., Tuesday, November 12, 2024 and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at Matthews Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 15th at the First Christian Church Edmond, 201 E. 2nd St. Edmond, OK for a celebration of JoAnn Bullard’s awesome life, and a reception at her home after the service. Burial will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Duncan Cemetery, Duncan, OK.