Joy Ann Hoke Hayes, 89, of Lewisburg, formerly a 50-year resident of Dunbar, passed away May 12, 2015, at Peyton Hospice House in Lewisburg after a brief illness.

Joy was born in Winona on November 30, 1925, to Harry Franklin Hoke and Eliza Small Hoke.

She was a graduate of Nuttall High School in 1944, and for a short time toward the end of WWII was employed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. From 1965 to 1984, Joy was also an office assistant in the Charleston administrative HQ of the Kroger Co. as well as the Kanawha City branch of the Kroger employee credit union.
Joy was the widow of James W. "Bill" Hayes, to whom she was married for almost 37 years. As part of their full and rich life together they enjoyed traveling, gardening, and being faithful members and supporters of Humphreys Memorial Methodist Church, later United Methodist Church, in Dunbar.

The youngest of 5 siblings, Joy was preceded in death by her brother and three sisters. She was also the mother of Joseph R. Martin, Jr., who passed away at the age of 47, and of a daughter, Joanna Martin, who died in infancy. For all of them she treasured lifelong and loving memories.

Joy is survived by her granddaughter Melissa, Melissa's husband Chas, and Melissa's (Joy's great-grand-) daughter Savannah. She is also survived by her granddaughter Stacie and great-grandchildren Sophia and Luke. Left to cherish Joy's memory, also, are Bill's devoted daughter Susan; her husband Glen; their children and grandchildren; and Joy's nieces and nephews, who all loved her dearly.

A memorial service celebrating Joy's life will be held at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, on Saturday, June 13, at 11 a.m. Also, an hour of visitation by friends and family will begin at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dunbar United Methodist Church or to Peyton Hospice House of Lewisburg.