A celebration for the life of Ada Lois Joplin will be held at First United Methodist Church in Durant on Thursday, May 10 at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Condon Grove Cemetery in Milburn.

Born on March 28, 1911, near Hoxbar, Ok, Ada was the oldest daughter of John Henry and Dixie Elizabeth Perkins. She graduated eighth grade at Hoxbar, then moved to Fillmore, Ok., to live with relatives so she could attend high school. There she met and married Delbert G. Joplin on April 16, 1929. Her early married years were spent at Milburn where her first three children were born. She moved from Milburn to near Bromide, Ok., where she lived most of her life and where seven other children were raised.

Living on a farm as the mother of ten children required that Ada develop skills as a cook, seamstress, gardener, nurse, teacher and peacekeeper. Along with her family duties, Ada was a faithful church worker, teaching Sunday School and serving as a leader in the Women's Missionary groups. She was a dedicated member of Bromide Baptist Church for many years, then Tishomingo First Baptist Church, and her last membership was Durant's First Baptist Church. Although Ada was extremely proud of her children's accomplishments in their careers, her greatest pride was knowing that they continued her love for church service by being active in their local churches.

Ada was a lifelong Iearner. After her youngest child began school, Ada learned to drive a car and was employed as a certified nurse's aide at Atoka Hospital, then later at LawnView Nursing Center in Tishomingo. When the opportunity arose, she enrolled in the first Home Health Aide class taught in Johnston County and worked in that job until her retirement. During her retirement years, she enjoyed continuing education classes at Southeastern University in Durant. She remained proficient in all kinds of needlework into her 80s and continued to be an avid reader and journal writer into her 90s.

After Delbert's death in 1993, she moved next door to her sister, Virginia McKinney, in Tishomingo. They took pleasure in reading the Bible and praying together daily. They also delighted in taking a few trips together to the East and West coasts. Ada boasted that she got to see both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Mrs. Joplin was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, a daughter, Margaret Perrin and a son, Glen Joplin. Also three brothers, Estell, Lawrence and B.I. Perkins, and two sisters, Virginia McKinney and Manie Francis. A grandson, Fred Perrin, also preceded her.

She is treasured by her surviving eight children, sons John Joplin of Bromide; Jack Joplin and wife Kathrin of Gunterville, Alabama, Jerry Joplin and wife Marilyn of Collinsville, Joe Joplin and wife Sharon of Normal, Illinois, and daughters Ophelia Conway of Durant, Ellen Marcy and husband Larry of Durant, Nelda Booker and husband Jim of Norfolk, Virginia, and Dixie Cooper and husband Roy of Hennipen, Oklahoma. Also spouses of her deceased children, Kyle Perrin of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Cathy Callen of Lawton, Ok. Ada's strong spirit also survives in her 23 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews, church family, caregivers and friends will remember Ada for her beautiful smile which mirrored her genuine Christian spirit.