Joan Delores Semonco

Joan Delores Semonco of 281 Red Oak Ridge, Bluefield, West Virginia, departed on July 26, 2024.  Honoring her wishes to be cared for at home, she was surrounded by the love of her family.

Joan was born September 29, 1931, in Ashland, West Virgina, to parents Lula May and Ed Walker. The oldest of ten siblings, she was known as the matriarch of the family. Upon graduating from Northfork High School, Joan soon boarded a train to Washington, D.C. where she enjoyed working as a telephone operator. It was on one of her visits back home she would meet her husband of 62 years, Andrew Semonco. The two raised four children, Yana, Ranae, Andrew, and Anna in Elkhorn, West Virginia. Joan was an active member of the United Methodist Women where the family attended church in Elkhorn. The wife of a WWII Veteran, Joan honored this country with patriotic grandeur playing an instrumental role in organizing events such as the Bicentennial Celebration in Northfork. She turned Red Oak Ridge into a red, white, and blue spectacle every 4th of July welcoming family and friends to huge cookouts and a fireworks display. Summertime memories were made vacationing on Topsail Island which has become a tradition passed down through generations. Holidays meant her famous Thanksgiving dressing and making sure everyone took a moment to share gratitude. On Christmas Eve the family would gather to listen to a story from her collection of many Christmas books. Her favorite carol was Silent Night which she made a special request that it be sung at her going away service, as she put it, “even if it is the Fourth of July”.

Joan worked out her years with the Post Office as Postmaster in Elkhorn. She made the Post Office the hub of the community where Joan was known for her humorous, no-nonsense candor and helping anyone who came to her in need. Yellow roses at the service will pay homage to the years she spent as a member of the Beta Sigma Phi, (aka the ‘Sortie’) providing many cherished events, especially the Annual Mother & Daughter Banquet. In addition, she was an avid reader and a crafty seamstress making sure every grandchild was given a coveted Christmas Stocking.

Always cherishing her years in the Methodist Church, Joan later joined her husband becoming a member of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church and a member of the Ladies Altar Society where donations may be offered in her memory.

She is preceded in death by her husband Andrew Semonco, parents, Ed and Lula Walker, brothers Frank, Roy, Lewis, Herbert, Sherman (Dilly), and sister Eddie Mae Cooper. Living siblings are Roger Walker of Richmond, VA, Gary Walker (wife Linda) of Bluefield, WV, and Andrea Chandler (husband Tim) of Bluefield, WV.

Living relatives are Yana Hodges (husband late Dennis Hodges) of Bluefield, WV, Ranae Bailey (husband Randy Bailey) of Bluefield, Andrew Semonco (wife Jeanne Semonco) of Bluefield, and Anna Semonco (husband Jeff Wall) of Elliston, Virginia, grandchildren, Frank Hodge, Kate Pack (husband John Pack), Kerry Bailey, Clayton Bailey (wife Angie Bailey), Daniel Bailey, Andrew B. Semonco, Rhett Semonco (wife Julia Semonco), James Morris, Jr., (wife Shara Morris), Bridgette Morris, and greatgrandchildren, Abby May, Joseph, Tristan, Abby H., Ellie, Anna, Lincoln, Liam, Scarlett, Kira, Elijah, Emily, Lucy, Leah, Mary, Maggie. 

The family extends a special thanks to caregivers, Gloria Beasley a lifetime friend of the family, her favorite daughter-in-law, Jeanne Semonco and Shara Morris, granddaughter-in-law. We are forever grateful.

Visitation will take place from 6 pm to 8 pm at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell on Monday, July 29, 2024. Special comments by Andrew Semonco preceded by a prayer service officiated by Father Michael Foster will be held at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church on 187 Justin Lane in Bluefield, WV at 10:00 am. Pallbearers as follows, Kerry Bailey, Frank Hodges, Clayton Bailey, Daniel Bailey, Jimmy Morris, Andrew B. Semonco, Rhett Semonco and honorary pallbearers, Elijah Morris, Tristan Hodges, Joseph Pack, Lincoln Bailey, and Liam Semonco. Graveside services to be immediately followed at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell. The family extends an invitation for all to gather for a meal at the church following services.