Joyce G. Lawhead

Bonnie (Fletcher) DeNully, niece, joyfully announces the May 3, 2009 graduation of her aunt, Joyce Gertrude Lawhead, to eternal life with her Savior, Jesus Christ, and to a long awaited reunion with her beloved parents, William J. and Marcia (Lee) Lawhead and siblings Creighton, Virginia and Lee. Joyce was 85 years young and quipped that she must be doing something right to have attained that age. Yet with failing mind and interest in life, she looked forward to moving on to her promised heavenly home. Joyce was the third of four children, born August 2, 1923 in the Jalappa section of Pottsville and was a life-long resident. After her graduation from Pottsville High School in 1941, she worked for 35 years in the shipping, receiving and piece goods offices of the Phillips & Jones and Phillips Van Heusen. When those offices closed, Joyce worked for 4 years as assistant housekeeping supervisor for the Pottsville Hospital. She cared for her infirm father after that, very happy to do so. She joked that being married meant ironing shirts and wearing rings and she would much rather live at home and care for her mom and dad. Joyce was a faithful giver of her time, money and talents to her church and community. She was a choir member for over 60 years at Trinity Reformed/Trinity United Church of Christ, Pottsville, as well as a kindergarten Sunday School teacher, dearly loving both. In 2002 Manor Care Nursing Home honored her with the Volunteer of the Year Award. She gave money to many charities, particularly those which cared about war veterans, patriotic, children and animal issues. She tried to be helpful when and where she could. Joyce loved to drive her Chevy and each one she owned was her " buddy." Her most prized was her silver 1957 BelAir. Her other passions included attending musical events and spending time with her beloved siblings and their families. She always wanted to ride in a hot-air balloon, own a pony and raise a baby elephant after seeing one perform at the Hippodrome Theater! Joyce was notorious for her quick wit, play-on-words, puns and jokes. She was a brutal Scrabble player and would have been a great contestant on the Wheel of Fortune TV program! Joyce leaves behind her nieces Pam and Bonnie and her nephews Kirk, Scott, Creighton (Butch), Kimber and Brian plus their spouses and families. She also has extended family, cousins as well as her church family. Grateful thanks is extended to George Schreader, Lois Lowthert, Dolly Bowers, the Laurel Court High-Rise Community, Lew Walters at Beadles Garage, Giant and Wal-Mart Stores, Drs. Pompella and Altschuler, Schuylkill Medical Center, York Terrace Nursing Center, Providence Place and Schuylkill Center staff, Gramma's Restaurant, and all the others in the community for all the kindness and patience shown towards Joyce , particularly in her later years, as she struggled with dementia and the issues of life. A private graveside service will be held Wednesday, May 6, at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Pottsville. Monetary gifts in her memory may be sent to Trinity United Church of Christ, 316 W. Market St., Pottsville, PA 17901. Best of all, take a friend out for a piece of "punkin pie," tell a joke or make someone laugh. Joyce would be pleased! James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, is in charge of arrangements.