Helen Joyce Ziegler

January 6, 1928 - July 31, 2020

Joyce Flanagan Ziegler, 92, died peacefully Friday July 31st, 2020 at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa, OK. She was born at home on January 6, 1928 to Ruth Mayes Flanagan & Joseph Loren Flanagan in Sanora, AR. She was the oldest sister to Joan Flynn & William Mayes Flanagan. Joyce attended St. Ann's Academy, Fort Smith, AR, home of the Buffaloes. Her yearbook quote described her as "The Mildest Manor, The Gentlest Heart," a loving description of Joyce that rang true her entire life. After high school, Joyce was recruited by Arkansas Oil & Gas in Springdale where she cultivated her love for business. Her hardworking, intelligent, and savvy business manner served her well as she stayed active in business for the rest of her life. She was a residential & commercial real estate investor in Oklahoma and Florida. Joyce moved to Tulsa in her twenties to pursue her career in the oil & gas industry. She attended the Catholic Singles Club and fell in love with a tall, handsome man from Kansas City: Joseph R. Ziegler. They were married February 15, 1958 and shared 30 happy years together until his death in 1988. In the 1970's, they started Ziegler Investments specializing in vacant land and commercial properties. They were blessed with three daughters: Jody, Jane, & Lisa. They were proud to watch them thrive at St. Pius X, Bishop Kelly, & OSU. Joyce was a longtime St. Pius X Parishioner and Catholic Charities supporter. Joyce married Willard Shortal Emery in 1994 and had many happy times until his death in 2015. Joyce is survived by Jody Z. Whitsett, husband James Whitsett, Jane Z. Snedden, husband Dr. Jack Robin Snedden III, and Lisa Joanne Ziegler, deceased husband Gary A. Ziegler, & grandchildren: Jackie Joyce Householder (Justin), Jack Robin Snedden IV (Erin), Thomas Jameson Whitsett, , Beverly Joyce Ziegler, Paul Joseph Ziegler, Joanna Ruth Snedden, Alana Joanne Ziegler, John Sergei Snedden, Joseph Raymond Snedden, Catherine Joy Ziegler, Jesse Robert Willard Snedden, and step grandson Jeffery Douglas Flowers (Elizabeth), brother-in-law Herbert Ziegler, sister-in-lawVirginia Ziegler Bagby, both from Kansas City, and sister-in-law Barbara Jaquish of Fayetteville, AR and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, babies, and friends. Joyce started an anonymous lunch fund at St. Pius X School, wanting all students to have access to a hot lunch. The fund continues to this day as a way to support students in need. Joyce started each day working the crossword puzzle and reading her favorite book, Jesus Calling. She felt each day was a unique gift from God, and the daily message from Jesus Calling profoundly spoke to her. She always kept extra copies and was known to gift this book to friends, both old and new. Joyce requested copies to be passed out at her funeral. Beautiful Joyce was a classy gal. She was humble, but generous with words of wisdom. She also wrote poetry and always remembered every family member's birthday with a special card. She had passion for all babies, born and unborn. She supported Birthright and Madonna House. A memorial mass will be held at St. Pius X Church on Friday, August 14th at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Pius X Lunch Fund, 1717 South 75th East Avenue, Tulsa, OK, 74112.