Joyce Ileen Farley Athey - 85 of Glen Daniel, WV, went Home to be present with the Lord on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Born on March 30, 1939, in Sullivan, WV, she was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Lee ‘Buster’ Athey, Sr., father Leslie Franklin Farley, mother Edna Marie Phillips, sisters Anna Daniels and Shirley Goss, brother Darryl Farley, three precious grandsons, Dakota Isaac Redden, Nicholas Kent White, and Lincoln Eugene White and sons-in-law James Redden and Timothy Combs.
Those left to cherish her memory include nine of the most blessed children in the world to have had her as their Mother – Gail Tilley (Edward) of Winston-Salem, NC, Icy Combs of Beckley, WV, Lawrence Athey Jr. (Sissie) of Sandlick, WV, Robert Athey (Missy) of Sandlick, WV, Ronald Athey of Glen Daniel, WV, Linda Redden of Piney View, WV, Sheryl Brown (Wesley) of Saxon, WV, Dwayne Athey (Amanda) of Lexington, NC, and Renee Acord (John) of Glen Daniel, WV, Sister Wanda Hall of Glen Daniel, WV, and Brother Billy Farley of Spotsylvania, VA.
We are all thankful to have had her wisdom and guidance while raising her 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Mom loved the Lord and knew He was where her strength came from. She was a member of the Fairdale Free Will Baptist Church where she raised all nine of her children, teaching them above all else, the urgency to know the Lord as well.
Some of her favorite times were family get togethers. No crowd was too big for her. Whether we gathered at her sister Wanda’s, son Lawrence’s or at her house, she loved having the kids running and playing in the yard, climbing trees, and everyone sitting around on the porch or in the house laughing and eating and just enjoying each other. There was always a smile on her face when her family was all gathered home.
Mom enjoyed visiting local churches that were having revivals with her son and always supported us when we traveled to different places to sing. She loved working Vacation Bible School and was dubbed the ‘Kool-Aid Lady’ by the kids which stuck for years. She faithfully attended the local Free Will Baptist conferences. The church could always count on her to be a church delegate each quarter.
Mom unselfishly gave everything as wife and Mother. For years she cared for her kids and husband, taking care of Dad’s books as he worked his construction business. Later, once we were grown, she began working as a tax preparer. She worked for H&R Block for approximately 30 years and loved every minute of it however, work never took priority over her primary job as Mom.
We will miss her love and beauty more than words can say. She is the best role model we could ever pattern our lives after. Today, she is out of bed, kneeling before the best Friend she ever had. Soon we will see her beautiful smile again when her family is once again, all gathered Home.
We would like to thank her wonderful Hospice nurses Staci Isaacs, Regina Green, Lindsey Howard, Molly Patrick, and Sandy Harper. The care they gave Mom and the support they provided us was above and beyond anything we could ask for. May God bless them for their love and kindness. We love you girls. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations to Hospice of Southern West Virginia.
We invite you to join us to honor Mom’s life at Blue Ridge Funeral Home in Prosperity. Visitation will be Monday, July 1, 2024, at 5:00 – 9:00 pm and the service will be Tuesday July 2, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Pastor and friend Rev. Dean Adams will be officiating.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandson-in-laws Steven Tilley, Robbie Athey, Brian Irvine, Kenny Tolliver, Eric Milam, and Dustin White.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.1