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Joyce Putnam Oakley, 96 years young, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Joyce was born March 26, 1930 in Gastonia, North Carolina to the late Leon David Putnam and Lillian
Lucille Padgett Putnam.
Joyce attended Mecklenburg County Schools, Central Piedmont Community College and worked at The
Methodist Home in Charlotte. She was a member of Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, most of her life, and
since moving to Concord attended Lake Community Church of Salisbury.
Joyce enjoyed cooking, hosting and entertaining, doing and caring for others and her flowerpot gardens.
She loved to embroidery pillowcases and table runners. Watching birds, especially red birds and
hummingbirds, gave her great joy. She was also the “life of the party” as many will attest to.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Paul David Putnam of Charlotte and
sisters, Virginia Putnam Parenti of Cocoa Beach, FL and Dorothy Putnam King of Bowman, GA.
Those left to cherish her memory are sons: Steve Oakley and wife Donna of Concord and Mark Oakley and
wife Diane of Claremont.
Grandchildren: April Smith of Arcata, CA, Steven Oakley of Willow Springs, NC, Matt Oakley of Salisbury,
NC and Step-Grandson, Cameron Brooks of Harrisburg, NC
To her Fourteen Great-Grandchildren, MaMaw loved you all dearly, wanted to be sure you knew and
followed “The Golden Rule”, could sing “Jesus Loves Me” and to always have faith, hope and love in your
heart.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 1:00 p.m at Lake Community Church,
7800 Bringle Ferry Rd, Salisbury, NC 28146.
We are grateful to all of Joyce’s caregivers with Via Health Partners for their compassionate care and
support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lake Community Church 7800 Bringle Ferry Rd Salisbury, NC 28146 Building Fund www.mylake.church or to Via Health Partners P.O. Box 470408 Charlotte, NC 28247 donatehospice.org.
Carolina Cremation is honored to serve the Oakley family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Shalonda says
Condolence to all of the family. It was truly a blessing and honor to have know Joyce, Steve and Donna and to be Joyce’s caretaker. May God give you all peace during your time of bereavement. Love you all
Shalonda
Joseph Peter Parenti 3rd says
I have so many great memories of my Aunt Joy. As a child she was always so sweet and caring. The times I spent with her she was more like a Mother to me and made me feel better about myself especially in my teenage years, my best times were going to visit with her, my wife got to know her and loved her as well she will be missed greatly here on earth and now she is with Jesus and her other family members in Heaven. She was such sweet and great person.
Love always,
Peter
Russell D Carter says
My condolences to Mark Oakley who is my friend and neighbor. He loved his mother dearly. She taught him to help others in need.
Chris Dunlap says
RIP Joyce I’ve known you forever it seems I dearly hope your heavenly home is as great as Bible tells us I’m sure you made it there You were always considered a trusted friend to me Loved your 71 Monte Carlo and you were a great niehbor when I lived near you You’ll leave cherished memories on earth to all that knew you
Steve Anthony says
Our condolences to Mark and the Oakley family. I’m a friend of Mark and ony met his mother one time. May God be with you during your sorrow.
Norma and Steve Anthony
Paula Carter Emrich says
To the whole Oakley family…my prayers are with you during this time of sadness at losing your Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and friend. I know Joyce loved Jesus and is enjoying eternity with Him and her family and friends that arrived before her.
Much prayers and love through Christ our Redeemer