Joquetta Harden Endsley November 21, 1935 - January 15, 2026
Joquetta Harden Endsley passed away peacefully in her home on January 15, 2026, at the age of 90.
Born in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Johnny and Dalomi Harden, Joquetta grew up in Tulsa during The Great Depression and World War II. Her father was a restaurateur and made sure the family never wanted for a meal. Joquetta worked alongside her parents and siblings at Harden's Hamburgers. Later, Jo and her husband continued in the family business, opening the first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in Ponca City, OK, where they instilled in their children the values of hard work, hospitality, and resilience.
For 48 years, Joquetta shared her life with her beloved husband and best friend, Louis F. Endsley. Together they built a partnership rooted in love and friendship, enjoying life's adventures together. When Lou's career took them to Ventnor City, New Jersey, Joquetta found purpose in serving others, spending years volunteering her tax expertise for the local senior citizen community.
Joquetta was a lifelong Baptist and member of First Baptist Church of Tulsa and the Order of the Eastern Star. Intelligent and sharp-witted, with a great sense of humor, she expressed herself artistically through ceramics, excelled at gardening, and enjoyed cooking while trying new recipes. In her later years, she took great joy in welcoming each new addition to the family.
Joquetta was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny and Dalomi Harden; her husband, Lou Endsley; her sister, Patty Sue Clark; her daughter, Kathi Ann McDaniels; and her grandson, Nathaniel Endsley.
She is survived by her brother, Gordon Harden; her sister, Charlene Stevens; her children, Dr. Jeffrey D. Endsley (Martha), Tami Newhart, Grady Lynn Endsley (Trisha), and Dr. Ferrel Lee Endsley (Dana); 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren, with a 13th on the way.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel, 5111 S. Memorial Dr., Tulsa, OK 74145.