Joann Florence Cheney

Joann Florence Codding Cheney was born in Oklahoma City, OK on March 17, 1936, to Arthur Martin and Anna Elizabeth Codding. She lived in the Capitol Hill area where her father Arthur was a firefighter. She loved to visit him at the firehouse and ride on the trucks. Later, her family moved to Siloam Springs and then Decatur, Arkansas. She helped on the family chicken farm and attended school at Decatur elementary where one of her favorite teachers was Mrs. Lena Cheney. Years later, she would meet Mrs. Cheney's son, Boyd, who became the love of her life. She played basketball and was basketball homecoming queen but her main interest in the sport was to get to know Boyd who played on the boys' team! The high school sweethearts married on May 22, 1955, and moved to Oklahoma City to start their life together. They were blessed with a son, Mike and two daughters, Cathy and Janet. Joann devoted all her time to caring for Boyd and her children and she made a loving and happy home for them. She was the epitome of the woman described in Proverbs 31. She was an amazing cook, a talented seamstress, and blessed her family with loving care in everything she did. She made family dinner time a priority, when they would all gather and talk, even through high school. Joann was always very supportive of her children, helping with school homework and attending every school function, band concert, recital, and track meet. She was always there for her children, and her home was a happy and safe place, always filled with laughter and love. Her children were greatly blessed to have her for a mother. She taught children's Bible classes for years, was a faithful Christian and a member of the Central Church of Christ in Shawnee.

When her kids got older, she went back into the workforce to help ensure that each one had the means to pursue higher education. During those years she worked in retail stores, banks and later for Bethany General Hospital and Seminole Hospital where she retired at 75. In all these endeavors, Joann showed the same Christian love and kindness to her coworkers and friends. Joann's life was a blessing to her family and to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Boyd and is survived by her children, Mike Cheney, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Cathy and Akin Olaniyan, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Janet and Bob Stephens of Earlsboro, OK. (She did not care for the term "In-law." They were all her kids!). She adored her grandkids, Andy and Leslie Stephens of Oklahoma City, Matt and Megan Stephens of Mustang, OK and Dineji Olaniyan of Tulsa, OK. She delighted in her great-grandchildren, Peyton, Henry, Rex, Casey, and Sloan Stephens.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at the funeral home on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 from 2-6pm with the family present to greet friends from 4-6pm. A ceremony to celebrated Joann's life will be held at 10am Wednesday, November 26, 2025 in the Chapel at Walker Funeral & Cremation Service with Bob Stephens officiating. Following the ceremony, Joann will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Boyd at Resthaven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Search television program, searchtv.org/formmemorialhonor.html, PO Box 371, Edmond, OK 73083.