Joy Gayler-Evans, 84, passed away peacefully alongside her daughters on Friday November 17th in Roseburg, OR. Joy was born September 2nd 1933 in Spencerville, Oklahoma to a large family much like you would find in the novel Grapes of Wrath. Growing up during the depression wasn’t easy, but her home was full of love and kindness for one another. The heads of the family were Jack and Irene Wilkerson who raised nine children together. Joy’s siblings included her brothers Brett, Willard, Merrel, Ed and Jerry along with her sisters Wanda, Maudie Lee Rudder, and Ella May Claxton. Up until the very end of her life Joy would take annual trips to Oklahoma to visit, drink coffee, laugh and be doted on by her multiple brothers and sisters.
As a teenager, Joy cleaned houses with her mom, helping the family make ends meet, and this is where she met Hank Gayler. It was love at first sight; they were married and moved to Oregon shortly after her 18th birthday. Their family quickly grew with five kids, Mary Fox, James Gayler, Judy Cederstrom, Debby Gayler-Benson, and Gary Gayler. Throughout the early sixties the family moved to places like Colorado and Alaska; always held together by a strong woman who always did what was best for her family. As her children became adults, Joy and Hank parted ways. She would eventually marry and be widowed to Richard Evans. Her role in the family never changed and her purpose was to continue being the rock for her children and welcome her future grandkids.
Joy had eight grand children who couldn’t have asked for a better grandma. Angie O’hara, Chris Mckenzie, James Cederstrom, Brandon Fox, Tony Rice, Ashley Gayler, Cassie Gayler, and Mcgyver Gayler all adored their Grandma Joy. Grandma Joy supported the family in a way that no one else could. Her grandchildren went on to have their own children while always seeking the support of their grandmother. She had seven great grandchildren; Michael and Alec O’hara, Micah and Eli Fox, and Kyla, Chris, and Cash Rice. To those who knew this amazing woman it is easy to understand the impact she has had on those around her. We were all convinced that Grandma Joy would live forever and we were not wrong. Her eighth great grandchild Harley Spears will enter this world shortly after her Grandma Joy left it. Harley will know her great grandma and the profound impact she has on all of those she has loved.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday December 2nd at Sutherlin Chapel of the Roses. Burial services will follow at Fair Oaks Cemetery. Flowers and well wishes can be sent to the Sutherlin Chapel of the Roses care of Andrew Jepson.