LaJoy London, 80, of McAlester, passed away Friday, June 3, 2022 at her home, with her family at her side.  Viewing will be Tuesday, June 7, until 8:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 8, at the Krebs First Baptist Church, with Pastor Ralph Suter officiating, assisted by Ralph Lalli and Chaplain Louis Reynolds.  Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in McAlester.  Pallbearers are Lindsey Kidd, Lesley Johnson, Amelia Sparks, Stephen Sparks, David Lalli and Mitch Watkins.  Honorary pallbearers are Donnie Rowell, Leonard Loudermilk and Don Hudson.

LaJoy left this earthly realm taking God by the hand, stepping into Heaven after a long battle with Alzheimer's.  It would be wrong to say LaJoy lost her battle because she never stopped fighting.  LaJoy was determined to stay no matter how sick she was.  LaJoy stayed strong when anyone else would have broken.  Through LaJoy we know what resilience and perseverance truly looks like.  There was no quit in LaJoy.  Just because she is no longer with us does not mean she lost her fight.  LaJoy won her fight upon entering Heaven.

LaJoy London was born on July 28, 1941 in McAlester to Eugene and Wynema Bell.  She grew up here and graduated from McAlester High School in 1961.  She married Jerry London on Jan. 20, 1961, and they made their home here in McAlester.  LaJoy worked at Colonial Lodge Care Center as the Social Director for over 25 years.  LaJoy was a "people person", and loved to visit and help in any way she could.  She was a long-time, devoted member of the Krebs First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years.

LaJoy is survived by her husband, Jerry London; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Lori and Mark Linney, and Sena and Steve Sparks; 4 grandchildren, Lindsey Kidd, Lesley Johnson, Amelia Sparks and Stephen Sparks; great grandchildren, Linney Ann, Autry, Stella, Vivian and Kasey; brother-in-law, Loyd London and wife Mary; sister-in-law, Amelia London; and a special friend, Jeanie Hudson.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law, Gene and Julia London; brothers-in-law, Earl, Bobby and Wayne London, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James and Cecil London, Loeva and J.R. Stanton, Frank and Bonnie London, Wanda and Gid Coplen, Pat and Dean Sumpter; and special nephews, Mike London and James London, Jr.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Southeast Hospice, Teresa Hitt, Ann Sennett, Christy Rhyne, Diane Linscott, Charmion Busby, and Chaplain Louis Reynolds, who all became her family.