Joyce Alice Rex

Joyce Alice Rex age 81 of Purcell, passed away Friday, January 10, 2014 at Purcell Municipal Hospital. She was born May 22, 1932 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She was the oldest of three daughters born to Elmer William Schnell and Evelyn Myrtle (Schwartz) Schnell. Joyce grew up in the town of Kenosha where she attended the Friedens Lutheran School until the 8th grade and graduating from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1950. She later attended the University of Wisconsin. Joyce was working as a Civil Service employee at U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois when she met Freddie G. Rex who was in the USN. Freddie was an Oklahoma City boy stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base. They were later married on January 1, 1953 at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Being the wife of a military man they lived in Great Lakes, IL, Boston, MA, Norman, OK, Guam, M.I., San Diego, CA, Philadelphia, PA and Bainbridge, MD. Their three children were born in Guam and Illinois. After Freddie retired from the military they moved to Purcell in 1982. Upon arriving in Purcell she volunteered at the Purcell Public Library before going to the McClain Co. Historical Society. Joyce became one of the most knowledgeable historians that Purcell has ever had. Resulting in three books published about the history of McClain County. Joyce was named an honorary life member of the McClain Co. Historical Society and had been a supporter of the McClain Co. Museum, serving as Curator, Genealogist and Treasurer for many years. She has edited, researched, abstracted and published many volumes of McClain County history and county records, including cemetery records. Her life as a military wife included volunteer services in the Navy Wives Clubs of America and the Navy Relief Society as well as PTA's of San Diego, CA, Bainbridge, MD and Midwest City, OK. She also served as a Red Cross Volunteer at TAFB Hospital and at the Oklahoma Historical Society Library before moving to Purcell. She was preceded in death by: Parents: Elmer and Evelyn Schnell, Husband: Freddie Rex on ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Feb. 5, 2010, She is survived by: Three children: Bill Rex and wife Jan of Dallas, TX, Karen Clauson and husband David of Houston, TX, Andy Rex and wife Mary of Purcell, 10 grandchildren, 1 great grandchildren, Two sisters: Joanne Dotson of Jacksonville, FL, Carole Hermann of Warren, Ohio, Also several cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Funeral service will be10:00 A.M. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell. Interment will be at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle, OK. Memorial may be made to the McClain Co. Historical Society.

Joyce Alice Rex

May 22, 1932 - January 10, 2014