Obituaries

Joyce M. Francis has transitioned from West “Almost Heaven” Virginia to the Kingdom of God.

Walter and Hilda (Buff) Behrle welcomed Joyce to their world in Perryville, Missouri in 1942 and she died at age 76 at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Joyce completed 12 years of education at St. Vincent Catholic Schools in Perryville, Missouri, that structured her “Spiritual Being” …… and inspired her “Zest for Living.” She completed training in Laboratory Technology at the Gradwohl Institute in St. Louis, Missouri in 1962 and progressed to Laboratory Director at Spelman Memorial Hospital in Smithville, MO in 1967. During that period of rapid professional growth, and of technology, Joyce was recognized by the Smithville Community in 1969 for having researched and selected a 12 channel blood chemistry analyzer for the hospital. After training at the manufacturing plant, she then assembled the equipment at the hospital. Her leadership skill and initiative significantly advanced diagnostic service to patients at Spelman Hospital.

After relocating from Kansas City, Missouri in 1971, Joyce continued her career in Laboratory Technology at United Hospital Center until retirement in 1981.

When Mr. Behrle returned from WWII, the Behrle family settled in Perryville, Missouri where Joyce was later joined by brothers Michael and Dale. Her parents and Brother Michael preceded her in death. Joyce is survived by her husband Max in Bridgeport, WV; her Brother Dale (Rene) and children, in Perryville, Missouri; and Joyce’s step-children Kim (Mike) Patterson; in Vancouver, Washington; Jeff Francis (Theresa) in Anchorage, AK; Heather (Lorren) Jackson in Minneapolis, MN; seven step-grand-children and a great-grand-daughter.

Please, in lieu of flowers, offer a contribution to the “Carroll Morrison Scholarship Endowment” at Notre Dame High School, 127 E. Pike Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301 in memory of Joyce M. Francis ………… A Woman of Substance.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, where a memorial service will be held at 4:30 pm with Reverend Del Parris and Father Hilarion Cann presiding, and with visitation concluding at 7:00 pm.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.