Nina Doak Souleret
Nina Doak Souleret
April 19th, 1943 – July 26th, 2025
Nina Fay Doak Souleret, age 82, of Grove, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully in the early afternoon of Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born on April 19, 1943, in Wetumka, Oklahoma.
Nina spent her final months surrounded by the people and place she loved most, living at her son and daughter-in-law’s lake house at Grand Lake in Oklahoma, where she had long enjoyed visiting and sharing time with family.
She was survived by her brothers Mark, Jerry, and Gerald Doak; her children Dale Byrd, Paula Byrd-Thomas and six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She has now been reunited in Heaven with her beloved parents, her eldest brother Bob Doak, and her youngest daughter, Janelle Renee Townsend, along with many other family members she missed dearly.
Most of her life, Nina balanced the roles of employee, homemaker, and full-time caregiver. Her love and care were especially felt by her daughter Renee, whom she supported through years of mental illness. Known lovingly as “Gram,” she also played a special role in raising several of her grandchildren and later became a loving caretaker to her great-grandsons, Avory and Calvin.
Nina was the heart of her family. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she poured her life into caregiving and creative expression. She spent countless hours behind a sewing machine, making quilts and clothes for her children, grandchildren, and countless friends. Whether fixing something broken, inventing clever household solutions, or reusing ziplock bags until they wore thin, Nina had a resourceful spirit and an eye for the practical.
One of the most enduring lessons Nina passed down was her belief that being “ugly” had nothing to do with appearance. To her, ugliness was a matter of character. If someone was cruel, unkind, or mean-spirited, she referred to it as “ugly” behavior. It was a message she repeated often, especially to the grandkids: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” And if you said something unkind around her, you were sure to get the look; a quiet but unmistakable reminder to do better.
Even in her final moments, Nina’s compassion and selflessness shone through. When her son Dale asked if she was comfortable, she cupped his cheek and gently told him, “You are my comfort.” That simple, selfless exchange reflected exactly who she was: always more concerned with others than herself.
Nina loved to laugh. Quick wit, funny stories, and lighthearted moments were her favorite kind. Her laugh was the kind that filled a room, stuck with you, and made everything feel just a little bit better. She had a beautiful way of finding joy and humor even in hard times, reminding everyone around her not to take life too seriously or for granted.
That’s the spirit we’ll be carrying with us as we come together to celebrate her life. Just like Nina would’ve wanted, we’ll gather to tell stories, laugh through the memories, and spend time simply being together. More than tears, there will be smiles, hugs, and plenty of reasons to laugh as we remember all the joy she brought into our lives.
A Celebration of Life and Vigil will be held at her son’s lake house at Grand Lake on Saturday, August 2 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. As Nina wished, she will be cremated. All family and friends are welcome to join in honoring her life, sharing memories, and celebrating the legacy she leaves behind. If you’d like to join us, please contact Dale Byrd at dabyrd01@hotmail.com to inquire about the specific address & time for the vigil.
Nina was deeply loved, profoundly cherished, and will be missed more than words can express.
In lieu of flowers, her family would love and appreciate any photos you may have of Nina be sent to her granddaughter Jordan, at jordankandt@gmail.com, so that those photos may be shared with Nina’s family & friends during her vigil and with her family for years to come in her memory.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO
