Joy Wadean Goodall, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, at the age of 106, at the BeeHive Homes of Broken Arrow. Joy was born on January 25, 1919 in Ottawa, Kansas to her parents, Ilo Lathrop-Elledge and Tolbert Elledge. Later, Joy lived with her mother, Ilo, and stepfather Robert Smith, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Following graduation from Sapulpa High School in the class of 1936, Joy attended the College Of Emporia, in Kansas for two years before marrying Marion Shumard in 1939. In 1940, Joy gave birth to her daughter, Mary Ann.

Joy held a variety of jobs throughout her life, having worked at the Tulsa County Courthouse in the Treasurer's Office and later as an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Union Public Schools. On January 19, 1963, Joy married C. Bernard Goodall, and was married to him for 30 years until his death in 1993. Joy celebrated over 40 years of her Catholic faith at Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Joy is survived by her son-in-law, Bruce Day, her granddaughter, Diana Avilla and her husband, Martin Avilla. In addition, Joy is survived by her great-granddaughter, Mariana Avilla, great-grandson, Chance Avilla, his wife Haleigh Avilla, and great-great-granddaughter, Sophia Avilla. Joy was preceded in death by her mother, Ilo Smith, her husband, C. Bernard Goodall, and her daughter, Mary Ann Day.

Joy had many pets over the course of her century of life, and was a dedicated animal lover and advocate for all animals. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made in her honor to the American Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals- ASPCA.


A Funeral Mass for Joy will be held at Calvary Cemetery Chapel on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 1:00 in the afternoon. Funeral Reception immediately to follow at the home of Diana and Martin Avilla. 7806 South College Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74136