Joyce Arlene Wilson

JOYCE ARLENE MAHIN WILSON Joyce Arlene Mahin Wilson was born in Arlington, VA, to Lettie Irene Scott Mahin and Hilary Dennison Mahin on August 29, 1927, younger sister to Virginia (Ginger) and Hilary (Sonny). Her father Hilary’s profession as a lawyer brought the family to Bartlesville, where he worked at Phillips Petroleum Company. Joyce graduated from College High School and then attended the Kansas University School of Fine Arts and the Kansas City Arts Institute. She was introduced to her future husband – Grady Lynn Wilson – by her brother Hilary and they were married on November 7, 1953. Alongside her role as homemaker, Joyce pursued her path as an artist in a variety of ways: she was one of the founders of the Bartlesville Art Association; she designed and constructed sets for over ten years for the Bartlesville Theatre Guild, as well as for the Bartlesville Civic Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker; she worked with fellow artists in restoring the vintage Herschell carousel in Johnstone Park; she created an award-winning exhibition on the Life and Times of Frank and Jane Phillips at the Frank Phillips Mansion, as well as assisting in the restoration of other areas of the Mansion; she was an officer of the Board of Trustees for the Price Tower Arts Center Capital Campaign; and she volunteered her skills to other organizations, such as ARC and Concern. For sharing her artistic talents so generously to the community, the Allied Arts and Humanities Council honored her with an award in May, 1978. In July 1978, Joyce was invited to become one of nine principle members of the Bartlesville Community Center Trust Authority, a passion that occupied her talents for the next three years. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church was another important aspect of Joyce’s life – she was not simply a member of the congregation, but also served as chairman of the Vestry’s Art and Architecture Committee. Working with artist Terry Saul, Joyce helped to design the stained glass windows in the church. She designed needlework patterns for vestments for the clergy and many of the needlepoint kneelers at the Altar Rail, and several banners throughout the church in partnership with artist Lynn Schwartz Cox. In her active participation in the art and culture of Bartlesville, as well as her commitment to St. Luke’s, she developed many lifetime friends who enriched and inspired her artistic talents. Joyce is survived by her three children, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 14, at 1:00 PM. Donations in honor of Joyce’s life may be sent to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 210 SE 9th St. Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74003. Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org. PDF Printable Version

Joyce Arlene Wilson

August 29, 1927 - December 8, 2013