Joyce Walker Gardner departed this life on February 15, 2009. She left her earthly home to join her heavenly Father for the eternity promised to her by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom she has worshiped and served since she was a preteen-aged girl.

Joyce was a wife, mother, grandmother, friend and teacher. As a teacher, Joyce loved education. She had her Bachelors degree in Education from WVSC and a Masters from WVCOGS. She dedicated 37 years of her life to teaching elementary school children how to read. She taught at Ford Elementary and Dunbar Elementary School, both located in Dunbar, WV. Joyce loved teaching as well as her students. Current and former students constantly greeted her with hugs in the school as well as in public. They loved Mrs. G. Also, she was a 25 year member of Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers Honorary Sorority.

Joyce was very active in church work throughout her lifetime. She served on numerous boards and committees through the years, including her 20 year tenure on the Deaconess board at Dunbar First Baptist Church and the Hospitality Committee at Cross Lanes Baptist Church, Cross Lanes, where she served the Lord for the past 16 years. One of her greatest experiences was getting to go on a mission trip to Jamaica in 2006. The group from CLBC taught Vacation Bible School at several rural Jamaican churches. The group was privileged to have led approximately 200 people to the Lord including both children and adults. She and her husband are currently sponsoring a little girl in a Moldovan Baptist orphanage. This was an extremely rewarding opportunity for her to help a child with little hope for a bright future in the former Russian Republic.

Joyce had a major stroke while teaching in October 2006. Her determination to overcome the obstacles presented by that stroke has been an inspiration to many people. She did not let this minor inconvenience slow her down in her church work. She still assisted in her fellowship functions whenever possible and attended almost every church service held at CLBC. She greatly appreciated all of the support her Bible Fellowship Class, the church and her many friends gave her during her illness.

Joyce leaves behind her husband and sole mate of 39 years, David N. Gardner, her two daughters and their husbands; Michele and Matt Green of Hurricane, and Cara and Brandon Beasley of Lyman, SC. She also leaves behind her three wonderful blessings, her grandchildren, Miah and Nile Green and Connor Beasley. She was the daughter of the late Ernest B. and the late Thelma Spence Walker of Dunbar. She also leaves behind many close relatives and friends all over the United States who will greatly miss her warm smile and comforting ways. She brought out the best in others and always gave the best of herself. She loved and cherished her family and friends and they cherished and loved her.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 18, at Cross Lanes Baptist Church, with the Rev. Seth Polk and the Rev. George R. Pauley officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, February 17, at Cross Lanes Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cross Lanes Baptist Church Mission Scholarship Fund, 102 Knollwood Drive, Cross Lanes, WV 25313.

Arrangements are in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.