Franklin - Joyce Libby Conner, 80, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 4th 2024. She passed away at Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital with her daughter by her side.

Joyce was born in New York, NY on August 27, 1943. She then moved with her family to the Peninsula in 1954. Joyce began her journey as a Christian at Parkview Baptist Church, in Newport News, VA with her husband Ed "Bubby. She taught Sunday School and was a member of the handbell choir. Joyce and Ed were extremely active with their children at Parkview. Once her children were grown, she joined First Baptist Church and then finally Deer Park Baptist Church where she and her husband were charter members.

Joyce was a graduate from Warwick High School and then attended Christopher Newport College. She started her working career at Newport News Shipbuilding working directly on the USS Enterprise. In 1967, Joyce and Ed adopted Lori and then in 1969 they adopted Michael. Joyce and Ed were dedicated parents and very involved in their lives. After adopting Lori, she decided to stay home and be a Mom. After the two children started school, Joyce started working as a Teacher Assistant at Saunders Elementary School where the children attended. Later she started working as the Pastor's Secretary at Parkview Baptist Church. She worked at Parkview for many years until she took on a job with the Peninsula Baptist Association. Joyce worked as a Financial Secretary for the Association from 1988 to her retirement in 2005. Joyce retired and took care of her Mother until she passed away. After her retirement she worked for Deer Park Baptist Church for quite a few years as their financial bookkeeper.

Joyce moved from Newport News to Franklin after her husband passed away in 2022. She made her home at The Village of Woods Edge in Franklin. She was so happy with her new home and all the new friends that she made. We called her new home the "Taj Mahal". Indeed it was. She loved it. She was very involved with all activities they had to offer: bingo, cards, holiday dress up events, socials, and outings. She loved everything about the Village and was always bringing goodies and candies to the table for weekly cards. Her friends at the Village were amazing.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Edwin Conner and her parents Murray and Helen Gold. She is survived by her three siblings: Norma Stewart (Gerald) of North Carolina, Debbie Brewer (Craig), Ron Gold (Beth); her daughter Lori Wall with husband Dan and son Michael Conner with wife Sanita; her grandchildren: Lance Wall with wife Katie, Luke Wall with fiancé Logan, Ashlee Conner and Michael Conner Jr. with wife Lindsey.

The family will receive friends Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. and a memorial service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home, 206 W. 4th Street, Franklin, VA 23851. Interment will be at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Village and Woods Edge Employee Christmas Fund, 1401 N. High Street, Franklin, VA 23851.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org