Joe Conaway

W. Joe Conaway of Wellston, Oklahoma, passed away April 11, 2023, surrounded by his children. Joe (or Jody as he was lovingly called by his parents) was born May 11, 1939, in Spur, Texas to Wallace Harper and Cleo Nannie (Kerley) Conaway.  Joe was a lifelong minister pastoring numerous Baptist churches from Wyoming to Nebraska and Kansas.  He especially enjoyed ministering to smaller, rural churches who are often underserved. An advocate for senior citizens, he volunteered and worked at senior citizens centers in Ashland, Kansas, and Wellston, Oklahoma.  Joe always felt a special calling to minister to the elderly and lonely.  

Joe was a creative man with endless talent for baking and sewing. His family always looked forward to his pies and cakes at every holiday meal.  “Grandpa Joe” never missed an opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren. He could always be counted on to be present at his grandchildren’s dance recitals, soccer games, school presentations and the like. 

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Linda Conaway. He is survived by his children, daughter, Lynna Conaway of El Dorado, Kansas; son, Layne Conaway and daughter-in-law, Ruthye Herrera-Conaway, of Yukon, Oklahoma and son, Lance Conaway and daughter-in-law, April Burt of Garland, Texas; foster daughter, Becky Kuhns and her husband, Steve, of Sydney, Nebraska; sister, Sue Johnson of Lubbock, Texas; 5 grandchildren, Cayenne Currier, Caden Corbin, Colette Conaway, William Conaway and John Paul Conaway; and 3 great-grandchildren, Christopher Currier, Frances Currier, and Lucille Currier. 

A memorial service for Joe will be on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Chandler with Pastor Rick Blackwell officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to make a prayerful donation to “Mission: Dignity” a program for retired ministers and their spouses.  Information can be found at:  https://www.guidestone.org/mission-dignity/get-involved/tribute.