Johnnie LaJoy Stinson

Johnnie LaJoy (Walters) Stinson was born June 25, 1945, in the Enterprise Community near Wapanucka, Oklahoma, to John William and Gernetta Pearl (Wright) Walters. She was the third of six children. As a child, she attended schools in Eunice, New Mexico, Enterprise, and Coleman, Oklahoma. She loved basketball and softball and excelled in both sports. She was also involved in the 4-H club where she made and entered many items in 4-H competitions. Her parents moved a short distance from where they lived and put LaJoy and her younger sisters into the Wapanucka school district for her senior year. She graduated from Wapanucka in 1963 and worked for a short while in the Dallas, Texas area but returned home for the remainder of that year. She enrolled in Home Economics at Murray State College in 1964, where she met the love of her life, Pat Stinson. They completed studies at Murray and enrolled in Southeastern State College in 1966. LaJoy and Pat were married on August 31, 1968, in Durant, OK and they were united as one for 57 years until her death. LaJoy completed her studies at Southeastern in 1969 where she received her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. She later received her vocational education degree from Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX. LaJoy and Pat both began their teaching career in the Dallas Independent School District in 1969 for a span of 30 years and retired in 1999. LaJoy taught all areas of Home Economics from middle school to high school and was involved in the Future Homemakers of America and many other programs of the schools. She was a friend, second mom, and helper to many students and family as well. She received many acknowledgements for her work with students and school programs. LaJoy deeply loved her Lord and Savoir and was a devoted member of the Coleman Church of Christ. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Coleman Church of Christ. Mike Pannell will officiate and eulogy will be read by Ronald Stinson. LaJoy will be laid to rest at Enterprise Cemetery with Jeremy Smith, Jonathan Smith, Kevin Roach, Brad Walters, Davis Walters, Ronnie Walters, and Weston Holland serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Stinson, Ronald Stinson, Carlton Parton, Barry Stinson, Kelly Roach, and Chad Roach. The family will receive friends at the Coleman Church of Christ on Friday evening from 6-8 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.

Johnnie LaJoy Stinson

June 25, 1945 - August 24, 2026