Joyce Layne Spencer, age 82, of Dunbar, WV ascended to her heavenly home on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Hospice House at CAMC with her family by her side.

She was born on May 3, 1939 in Switchback, WV. She attended Garnet High School and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1957. Working as a domestic worker afforded Joyce many opportunities to travel and live-in various states like: Florida, Washington DC and Ohio. Upon moving back to West Virginia, she continued to work as a domestic worker and was employed for almost 30 years in the Kanawha County School system until her retirement in 1996.

Joyce came to know Christ at an early age. In her earlier years, she was a member of the Glorious Church of God In Christ, Wertz Ave. Later she attended Ferguson Memorial and most recently was attending Kingdom Life Fellowship Church. Faith, family, friends and community were an important part of Joyce's life. She served faithfully and was an active and longstanding member of the West Dunbar Sub-Area Planning Committee. She was a source of strength, grace and encouragement to all that met her. Joyce loved and helped sow seeds of kindness and wisdom in the lives of others. She also enjoyed planting flowers and maintaining a garden. You could always find her on the porch waving to neighbors passing by with her dog, Pepper, by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eva Spencer; son, Kevin Wells; special niece, Evita "Evie" Spencer; sisters, Josephine Spencer, Jean Dailey, Evelyn Fredericks, Martha Hall and Freda Davis; and her son-in-law, Joey Oden.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Monique Oden; grandchildren, Michael Wells, II of Knoxville, TN, Joi and Jara of Institute, Alease, Tay, Alisha, Avery, Aidryan and Alex all of North Carolina; and special great-nephew, London Holmes of Farmville, NC; sisters, Betty Parker (Lonnie) of Riverside, NJ, Gloria Spencer of Dunbar; brothers, JW (Betty) of Institute and William "Buddy" Spencer of Cross Lanes and a host of nieces and nephews.

Joyce's life will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Friday, October 22 at Kingdom Life Fellowship Church, Nitro.

Friends may visit one hour prior to the service.

Masks will be required and all COVID-19 protocols will be followed.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Joey Oden Memorial Scholarship Fund through WVSU Foundations, P.O. Box 1000, Institute, WV 25112 Or Kingdom Life Fellowship Church, 405 1st Ave. S. Nitro, WV 25143.

Arrangements are in care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.