Leatrice Joy Hass' Obituary
Leatrice Joy Richerson was born in Sayre, Oklahoma on December 2, 1924 to Thelma Mae Burkes and Claude Richerson. In the early part of her life, Joy lived in Oklahoma City until she married Hugh Harrison Hass on July 29, 1945 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Joy and Hugh lived in Texhoma, Oklahoma from 1945 to 1950, Oklahoma City, OK from 1950 to 1954, and in Tulsa from 1954 to 2006. Most recently, she lived in Norman, OK to be near her late husband at the VA Medical Center. Joy served on the board of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Oklahoma Chapter for over 15 years, and she was active in the Order Rainbow for Girls, Alverson Chapter, OES, and the League of Women Voters. She was also a member of Rebekah Lodge in Texhoma. Joy was active in the Tulsa school board election campaigns and served as an active member working in Democratic Conventions. She was the Past Worthy Matron of Alverson Chapter in 1973. Joy was a selected member of Who’s Who of Tulsa, a Board member of the Order of Rainbow for Girls and a Board member of Demolays. Joy was the Owner and Manager of the now closed Joy’s Klothes Kloset and Bridal Shop at 61st and Sheridan in Tulsa for over 35 years. Her passion was Gospel Music and she had a wonderful zest for life. Joy will be remembered as an energetic, independent woman who loved her family and cherished family holidays spent at the family lake house. She was always the happiest at Christmas time when all the family was home for the holidays. Joy gave her children love and taught them to fight for what they believed, and that one can do anything if one puts his or her mind to it. Joy instilled the belief in her children that nothing is more important than family and faith. She gave strength to friends and family during their time of sorrow. She also taught her children diversity, flexibility, appreciation, and respect for all people. She would often say, “It’s not what you know, but whom you know”, which she embodied through her multitude of friends. Joy was a loyal friend, mother, and wife. Once a friend, always a friend was an essential part of Joy’s character. She was always herself. Everyone whose life she touched will miss her absence. Joy was preceded in death by her father, Claude Richerson, her mother, Thelma Burkes-Richerson, her brother, Bill Dean Richerson, her sister, Claudia Colleen Richerson-Bennet, and her daughter, Donna Kay Hass-Nix. Joy is survived by her son, Ron Hass and wife Mary, her daughter, Claudia Hass-Franyutti and husband Sergio, and her daughter, Jamie Roseanne Hass-English and husband Steve. She is also survived by her family Kenneth Wayne Nix and his wife Mary Lynn Nix, and Mark Nix and his wife Stacy Nix. Joy had 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren include Kenneth David Nix and wife Cindy, Seth Hass and wife Jennifer, Cody Bill Hass, John Harrison Franyutti, Tara Dawn English-Sonnier and husband Shannon, Stephen Hugh English and wife Samantha, William Brad English and wife Alexandra, and James Scott English. Her great-grandchildren include Kenneth Harrison Nix, Olivia Ruth Nix, Eraweh Ann Hass, T-Roy Alan Hass, Easton Alan Hass, Rheleigh Ann Hass, Naelith Alan Hass, Hudson James Sonnier, and Emmett Hugh English. She is also survived by her nephews and nieces, which include Bill McCawley and wife Judy, Jay McCawley and wife Shirley, and Candace Richerson and her children, Chad Burditt and wife Becky, and Candace’s daughter, Stephani Burditt. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, March 5, 2012, 10:00 am in the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Visitation will begin on Saturday from 3:00 – 9:00 pm and on Sunday from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home, 6500 South 129th East Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or the Juvenile Diabetes Association. Condolences may be submitted online at www.floralhaven.com
What’s your fondest memory of Leatrice?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leatrice?
Share a story where Leatrice's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leatrice you’ll never forget.
How did Leatrice make you smile?