Services For Joe Emmett Wofford, Jr., 71, of Leach, were held Thursday, September 20, 2001, at 2pm in the Leach First Baptist Church.  Rev. Utah Humphrey and Brother John Crowley officiated, with interment  following in the Kansas Cemetery.  Services were under the direction of the Locust Grove Funeral Home.

Joe was born September 10, 1930, in Tahlequah, to Joe Emmett Sr. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Wofford.  He grew up in the Oaks area and graduated from Oaks High School.  He married Velma Jones on May 26, 1954 in Bentonville, Arkansas.  He served as a Medic in the US Army in the 1950's and was honorably discharged February 17, 1960.  He came to the Leach area 43 years ago from Oaks.  He was a steel worker and had retired from Valmont in Tulsa in 1993.  He was a member of the Steel Workers Local #620 in Tulsa.

Joe loved horses and he always enjoyed riding, roping, team penning, and going to rodeos.  He also enjoyed big meals at family gatherings, and loved spending time with his grandkids.  He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor.  He had a special way with words and a knack for coming up with quirky sayings.

He passed from this life on Monday, September 17, 2001, in Tulsa. He is survived by his wife Velma of the home; son Terry and wife Sue Wofford of Leach; daughter Sylvia and husband Clayton Moore of Rose; brother Dwight and wife Joyce Wofford of Colbert; 2 sisters, Wahleha and husband Don Maxey of Preston, Wauhillau and husband Pete Adams of Locust Grove; sister-in-law Shirley Wofford of Mannford; 4 grandchildren, Terry Don Wafford, Justin Moore, Holly Wofford, and Dylan Moore; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by both parents and one brother, Thomas Wofford.

Locust Grove Funeral Home