Joyce “Joy” Thelma Darnell, 85, of Sugar Grove passed away April 8, 2022, at her home.
She was born April 27, 1936, in Laytonsville, Maryland, a daughter of the late Donald and Marion Madge (Royer) Fraley.
A 1954 graduate of Gaithersburg High School, Mrs. Darnell was a cheerleader and member of the Maryland State Choir. Following graduation she attended the National Institute of Nursing in Washington, DC, and became a private duty nurse.
On Sept. 23, 1954, she married Glenn E. Darnell and together they resided in Jacksonville, North Carolina, at Camp Lejeune Marine Base. From there, they relocated to a small farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and in 1965, they moved to Laytonsville, Maryland. It was there, she owned and operated a ceramic shop where she offered classes and sold ceramics. She was active in the Laytonsville Fire Department, member of the Ladies Auxiliary Drill Team and traveled alongside her husband with the National Tractor Pullers Association, making friends and memories along the way.
In 1978, she and her husband moved to McDowell, Virginia, where she was instrumental in helping with the building and start up of the McDowell Volunteer Fire Department, where she would go onto become an officer of the McDowell Ladies Auxiliary. She worked in the kitchen at Stonewall Elementary School in McDowell, Virginia, and in Monterey, Virginia, with Little Rock Preschool. Additionally, she helped with the Little Switzerland Cloggers and kept many children in her home.
They made the move to Mooresville, North Carolina, in 1997, where she provided care for two girls in their home, traveled with her husband, who was active in Nascar Sportsman Racing, and fed all the guys that he would bring home from the track. Ultimately in 2004, they settled in Moyers and began renovations on an old farm house. She worked for Pendleton County Senior and Family Services as an in-home caregiver and assisted her daughter, Lisa, with catering.
Through the years Mrs. Darnell cared for many children, both young and old, always with a smile and laughter and enjoyed working in her yard and feeding countless people.
A special thanks to her caregivers, Linda Weaver Kimble, Kimberly Bowers and Nancy and David Pultz, who made her last days comfortable and joyful.
She is survived by two daughters, Lisa D. Jamison and husband, Michael of Moyers, and Alicia Head and husband, Jason of Mooresville, North Carolina; son, David Darnell and partner, Naomi of New Jersey; a daughter-in-law, Emma Teodosio of Potomac, Maryland; a foster sister, Ruth States of Delaware; and grandchildren, Brayden Glenn Head, Elizabeth Grace Head, James Lyle Darnell and David Conway Darnell, Jr.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Warren “Brad” Darnell; a foster sister, Ginger Pontlitz; and a sister, Julia Fraley.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at St. John Lutheran Church in Moyers with Revs. Jason and Jess Felici officiating. Interment will follow in the church’s graveyard.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Darnell, Mike Holt, Todd Stanton, Mike Hancock, Matt Darnell, Brian Janney, Mike McCray and Kevin Burns.
Honorary pallbearers will be friends attending the service
Family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. today at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell, Virginia, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hungry Kids Fund, c/o Highland Elementary School Cafeteria, PO Box 310, Monterey, Va. 24465.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.obaughfuneralhome.com.
