Joi Dell Grissom

Joi Dell Grissom, a caregiver, bookkeeper, and lifelong learner was ushered into her eternal home on April 10, 2025 at the age of 85 years. She was born March 26, 1940 in Prague, OK to Charles and Inez (Deason) Snyder. She grew up in the Centerview area and graduated from Centerview High School in 1958. After high school, she attended Oklahoma Baptist University where she met the love of her life, (Sam Grissom) on a blind date. They were married one year later on Dec. 26, 1959 at Pleasant Home Baptist Church with Fairview’s Pastor (Clyde Frisby) ministering the service. Joi worked at Sylvania factory in Shawnee until she and Sam started their family in Earlsboro, OK. They were blessed with 3 beautiful children - Vic, Keith, and Hollie. On August 1, 1965, Sam & Joi purchased the John Deere dealership in Prague, which eventually grew into six different locations. Joi worked alongside Sam keeping the books for the business. For 53 years, they grew their family and business. Their children were married and blessed them with 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Both Sam and Joi consider the employees and customers of Grissom Implements their family. The loyalty of the employees and customers was the foundation for what made their dream such a success.

Joi was a member of the Fairview Baptist Church where she loved teaching, being a part of so many ministries, and traveling across the United States with her friends from church. She was blessed to have so much fellowship with members and pastors at Fairview Baptist.

Joi’s biggest passions were her family, traveling, serving in her community, and constantly learning. Some of her favorite places to visit were Switzerland, Greece, Rhyne River, Ireland, and Mt. Olympia, WA. Her involvement with the Faith 7 program was one of her biggest passions and she loved helping families and children with Down Syndrome. She had a passion for being very active in the Shawnee and Prague communities, history of her family and community, and she loved sharing her knowledge and pieces with everyone around her. She was active with the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, Prague Historical Society, Pottawatomie County History Museum, and was instrumental in starting the Prague Main Street Project. The friendships she formed through all her various groups and organizations turned into travel buddies as she traveled the world with them. Joi was a constant learner and lover of life. She learned pottery, painting, and her true artistic outlet was quilting. She was involved with the Spinning Spool Quilt Guild and the quilting group at church. She made quilts for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so many people in her life. She enjoyed classical/opera music. She always put others before herself and wanted to bless anyone she met with her time, knowledge, resources, and generous giving heart. Joi was a true Christian woman who lived her life showing love, passion, and compassion to all those she met along her very busy days.

Joi is preceded in death by the love of her life for 61 years (Sam Grissom) and their precious daughter Hollie Grissom. Her parents, Charles & Inez Snyder, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Roy & Lehella Grissom, her brothers-in- law, Roy Grissom & wife Bettye, and Les Grissom. Those left to cherish her memory are her 2 sons Vic Grissom and his wife Jayne of Greers Ferry, AR; Keith Grissom and his wife Janet of Seminole; 6 loving grandchildren and their spouses, Miranda & Darin Winchester, Tyler & Katie Grissom, Stefanie Cooper, Amber & Keith McFerran, Jared & Candace Grissom, Clint & Carmen Grissom and the joy of her life her 8 great-grandsons and her 1 very special great-granddaughter. She is also survived by her sister, Charlene Snyder of Poulsbo, WA, brothers and sisters-in-law, Larry Snyder and his wife Mary Margaret of Prague, OK; Jerry Snyder and his wife Pat of Rogers, AR, along with numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends. Many will miss her until we join her in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in honor of Joi to the Grissom Family Agricultural Scholarship Fund which has been established at Vision Bank.