Gloria Joyce Chrisler

Gloria Joyce Chrisler, affectionately known as Joyce, passed away peacefully at home on September 19, 2026, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, surrounded by the loved ones who meant so much to her. She was born on May 6, 1928, in Joplin, Missouri, to Roy and Agnes (Hill) Hawkins.

Joyce lived nearly a century and experienced more decades, changes, and adventures than most people could imagine. She was a woman with a strong personality, a generous heart, impeccable style, and a wonderful appreciation for the things that made life beautiful and fun.

Family was at the center of Joyce's life. She was married to Bill Gene Leonard for 32 years, and together they owned Leonard's Old Fashion Grocery before opening Leonard's Old Fashion Meat Market. Their businesses became about much more than groceries and meat. Family was the essential root of everything they built, and Joyce cherished the relationships and memories made along the way.

Joyce had a lifelong appreciation for dancing. In her younger years, she traveled from town to town to dance and continued enjoying ballroom dancing throughout her life. Monday nights at the senior citizens' dances were something she looked forward to, and she especially enjoyed sharing her love of dancing with her family. She loved taking her grandchildren, particularly her granddaughters, dancing and even made sure her children learned ballroom dancing professionally. For Joyce, dancing was one of many ways she celebrated life, music, and time spent with the people she loved.

She also had a true love for fashion and beautiful things. Joyce was a self-described girly girl who enjoyed dressing up, wearing perfume, collecting dresses, and finding just the right outfit for an occasion.

Joyce also had a softer side that could be found in her love of nature. She enjoyed watching birds from her home and had many bird feeders around the house. Hummingbirds and cardinals were especially dear to her. She enjoyed watching the cardinals and often thought of them as little visits from the angels.

Her friendships were another important part of her life. During the 1980s and 1990s, her mornings often began with coffee at the local McDonald's, where she met her friends without fail. Those friendships brought her countless conversations, laughs, and memories.

To her grandchildren, she was lovingly known as Grandma, and to her great-grandchildren, she was Gigi. She leaves behind four children - two daughters and two sons - seven grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss her joyful spirit, her sense of fun, her unmistakable style, and the special way she made ordinary moments memorable.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Agnes Hawkins; her brother, Jack Hawkins; her half-sister, Leah Hawkins; and her two husbands.

Joyce leaves behind a lifetime of stories, traditions, treasures, friendships, and family memories. She lived life in her own unique way - with plenty of sparkle and a whole lot of joy. She was one of a kind, and she will be deeply missed.

Services have been entrusted to Simplicity Burial Co. & Oklahoma Cremation Centers, 1112 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119. Friends & family may leave condolences and kind words of comfort at www.simplicityok.com