
Joan Kay (Pyron) Berry Simpson was born on November 1, 1936, to J.D. "Jiggs" and Deva Pyron of Dill City, Oklahoma. She began her life as a country girl with many friends. At an early age, she developed a talent and a love for music. Joan graduated high school at Dill City, in 1954, and continued her education on a scholarship in music at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She graduated with honors, in 1957, with a degree in music education. Joan married Jack Berry, originally of Cordell, Oklahoma, on May 24, 1957. They began their teaching careers in Geronimo, Oklahoma, where Jack was a coach and Joan taught music. Later, the couple moved, and taught at Oakwood. Joan and Jack had two sons, Brett and Blake. The family moved to Lawton, then later moved to El Reno where Joan assisted in the family business. Later, the family returned to the Lawton area, where Joan assisted teachers at the Douglas Learning Center. After almost 32 years of marriage, Jack passed away on March 26, 1989. After a period of grieving, she was reacquainted with an old friend that again brightened her life. Joan was pleased to marry Darrell Simpson of Frederick, on July 16, 1992. This marriage expanded her family by a son, Danny, and a daughter, Tera. The couple lived in Frederick where Darrell was a senior vice president of a bank. Later, the couple retired to the community of Chattanooga where they were engaged in banking and agriculture. The couple has been married 23 years. Joan loved music. She played the piano for many occasions including churches in Frederick, Lawton, and Chattanooga for over 50 years. She enjoyed the company of many family members who came to visit and those they traveled to see. Joan also enjoyed and stayed in contact with the many friends she accumulated through the years. She was preceded in death by her parents J.D. "Jiggs" and Deva Pyron; her husband Garth "Jack" Berry; and brother-in-law Dean Stallings. Joan is survived by her husband, Darrell Simpson of the home; four children, Brett Berry and wife Mary of Bryan, Texas, Blake Berry and wife Sandra of Cordell, Oklahoma, Danny Simpson and wife RaeNell of Montgomery, Texas, Tera Shuart and husband Scott of Blackwell, Oklahoma; a sister, Jeri Stallings of Canyon, Texas; seven grandchildren, Chad Berry with his wife Lindsey, Jordan Berry, Hesston Berry, Haley Berry, Jordan Weekley with her husband Kyle, Jacob Shuart, Abby Simpson with Liz; and three great-grandchildren. Services were handled by Becker-Rabon Funeral Home of Lawton and held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Lawton on December 17, 2015.