Joan O. Whitney passed from this earth and woke up in the presence of Jesus Monday, August 17, 2026, at the age of 82. Joan was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 18, 1943.

Joan worked outside the home from an early age. She started working while in High School and worked until a car accident in midlife prevented her from continuing such daily routines.

Joan was raised in Tulsa and attended Will Rogers High School. She met and married Harold Burdick. Together they had two beautiful daughters, Kimberly & Elizabeth. When the marriage ended in divorce Joan worked hard as a single mother to keep the girls in the same schools throughout their growing years.

Joan worked for American Airlines until she was disabled. During her time at American she worked for a Senior VP as a secretary until his retirement. At that time an opening became available for a select few to learn computer programing. Joan attended TJC while working full time and being a single parent. She worked her way up the ladder into the job of Programmer Analyst by the time she ended her career.

During her time at American she met Jack Whitney. They were married in 1979 and enjoyed many years before his passing in 2012. Between the two of them they had two sons and six daughters, twelve grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. She cherished her time going to garage sales to get outfits or toys for all the grandchildren. She kept them all well outfitted from a young age with her bargains.

Outside of work and family, Joan had a special love of Arkansas. Jack and Joan purchased a home in Rogers, Arkansas before they retired. Upon Jack's retirement, they lived in Rogers for 16 years before returning to Tulsa during their final years.

Joan was our family photographer, a job she took on with deserved pride. She took thousands of pictures over the years of travel and family celebrations but seldom managed to be included in them. We have been grateful to be able to sort through these chronicles of our lifetimes, even though we aren't seeing much of her face in them.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Jack Whitney, Parents Willard and Sally Shelton, brothers Larry & John Shelton and her Grandson Matt Henthorn.

Memorial Service: Thursday, August 20, 2026, 2:00 P.M. Moore Funeral Home Southlawn 9350 East 51st Street Tulsa, Oklahoma.