Joan McCullough, a former longtime Henryetta resident, died Oct. 2, 2022 at La Posada Hospice facility in Las Cruces, NM. She was 91.
Joan was born in 1931 in Denver, the second of three children born to Rev. Nelson and Florence Wurgler. As a child of a Methodist Episcopal/Methodist pastor, the family moved throughout her formative years. She graduated from high school in Marfa, TX. She then attended McMurry College, where she met her future husband, Grady. Joan completed her bachelor’s degree at Southern Methodist University in 1953.
Now the spouse of a Methodist (later, United Methodist) minister, moving often from appointment to appointment, Joan worked in several different capacities to supplement and support their growing family. This included teaching and support staff in public school systems; working for an electric company; earning her LPN to work in a local hospital; working in the registrar’s office at Oklahoma City University where she would eventually retire as an archivist in the University library.
Joan was a talented and accomplished musician playing the piano and cello. She also sang and led church choirs and community choruses.
Left to celebrate Joan’s life and many accomplishments are: her husband, of 70 years, Grady; sister, Jeanne; children (and families): Jeanne (Paul), John, James (Connie), Joe (Laura); grandchildren (and families): Aaron (Tasha), Megan (Rory), Whitney (Zach), McKenzie (Tristan), Kathryn, Samuel and Jacob; and 5 great-grandchildren, as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family scattered throughout the country.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James.
A celebration of life will be Held Dec. 29 in Las Cruces.