Joyce Lynch

Joyce McKinney Lynch, 87, formerly of Beckley, WV, peacefully passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Clapp's Nursing Home in Pleasant Garden, NC. Born January 2, 1937, she was the last child of Giles Kelly and Virgie Lou McKinney of Basin, WV. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Eugene Lynch and son, Kelly Sean Lynch of Beckley; her brothers, Shirley, Wilbur, Russell, Elmet and sisters, Doris, Garnet, Hester and Haley; all of WV.

Joyce is survived by her daughters, Diane Mitchem (Colin), Cheryl Thomas (Harvey Arnold) and son, Jeff Thomas; all of NC. She leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, lifelong friends, teammates, neighbors and furbabies. She was a strong independent mother and a model for all women.

Joyce earned a Business Degree from Jefferson School of Commerce which began her lifelong career as a Bookkeeper. She worked for several WV businesses producing payroll by hand, from collecting miners’ timesheets to printing paper script and paychecks. She rode the rise of computer processing and enjoyed working into her 70's. Joyce was an avid reader, collector, crafter, flower and vegetable gardener, pet lover, gambler, bowler, golfer and US traveler. She managed and awarded the annual Kelly Lynch Memorial Scholarship to deserving high school seniors and was nominated for Raleigh County Woman of the Year in 2010. She bowled competitively in local mixed leagues for over 40 years and rode a Zipline at age 77 to help raise money for a friend’s church. Joyce was a proud Republican who voted in every election of her adult life, including this year bedside from her nursing home facility.

A graveside remembrance will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley WV where her nephews, Pastor Tom Cox and Perry McKinney will officiate.

The children will forever appreciate the excellent loving care provided to their Mother by the staff of Clapp's Nursing Home.

In lieu of flowers, Joyce would prefer you plant a garden, join a local league or adopt a stray pet in her honor.