Joyce Farra Childers, age 81, of Verdunville WV, departed this life peacefully to receive her heavenly reward on Thursday, April 14, 2016. She was born February 3, 1935 in Wilsondale WV to the late John Harper Farra and the late Betty Mae Brewer Farra. She was a graduate of Logan High School Class of 1952.
Joyce was saved at age thirteen and on October 13, 1951 became a lifelong member of the Maryetta United Baptist Church at Verdunville. At the time of her death she was the 2nd on the list of membership longevity member of the Maryetta United Baptist Church and was serving as Sunday School Secretary. Over the years she had held various offices within the church. She had served as Youth Leader, Assistant Vice-President of the Ladies Circle, Sunday School Teacher, and Ladies’ Circle Choir Leader. She lent her beautiful alto voice to the church choir, sang beautiful solos, and in her early life participated in the Maryetta Quartet. Joyce was active in the Youth Activities of the Bethlehem Association. She was a Field Worker and also served as the President of the United Baptist Youth Convention in the 1950’s and was very active in the beginning of the United Baptist Youth Camp. She was a mentor and leader to many of the adults and girls of the Bethlehem Association. She gave many of her summers to work at the Youth Camp, where she served as teacher, dorm mother, cook, and did various other jobs. She donated lots of her time and money to the camp. She would take many of the children from our church to church camp and to visit other churches and attend youth rallies.
Joyce was a former employee of Aracoma Drug, Logan County Clerk’s Office, Secretary to Judge Oakley, Secretary for Smith & Walker Attorneys, and retired from Logan Driveshaft.
Joyce was a faithful member of the Logan Regional Auxiliary and until very recently worked at least two days a week as a volunteer. She also was an active member of the “Cats of the 1950’s Reunion Committee.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lewis Childers, her brother Addison Allen Farra and her sister Loretta Frye Workman.
Joyce is survived by one daughter, Joy Elizabeth Childers and one son, Charles Lewis Childers both of Verdunville, WV., her special friend, Howard Johnson, three grandchildren, Keilee Alexis Childers, Shylah Paige Clark, and Ozlen David Perry, her cousin, John H. Hager (wife Linda Maynard Hager) of Carolina Shores, NC, who was raised by her parents and considered by her as her baby brother, one sister-in-law, Nancy Childers, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Maryetta United Baptist Church at Verdunville on Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 6 PM to 9 PM. Services for Joyce will be at 1 PM on Monday, April 18, 2016 at Maryetta. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.