Joyce Ann Bower

Joyce Ann Bower, 94, of Longs, SC and formerly of Lorton Lick Road, Bluefield, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 16, 2024. 

She was born August 31, 1929, in Switchback to the late Charles Herndon Murphy, Sr. and Grace Mae Freeman Murphy Hill. 

She resided on Lorton Lick Road for over 20 years and was a 1946 graduate of Northfork High. She married Donald Bane Bower in 1948 where they were a member of the Keystone United Methodist Church. Joyce retired from the McDowell County National Bank after 21 years of service and became a devoted housewife. 

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her four sisters Edith Stanley, Maxine Deel, Elsie Crane, and Gladys Barlow, her two brothers Charles Murphy Jr. and Donald Murphy, and two nephews Frank Charles Barlow and Thomas Barlow. She is survived by her nephews Stephen Barlow and wife Carly of Bluefield, WV; Jimmie Barlow and wife Vicki of Bluefield, WV; Charlie Deel and wife Denise of Aberdeen, MD; Richard Deel of Aberdeen, MD; Jeffrey Deel and wife Amy of Havre de Grace, MD; Ronald Deel and wife Henrietta of Greensboro, MD; Greg Murphy and wife Deb of Beaufort, SC; Pat Wojceichowski and husband Donald of Jacksonville, FL; Donald Murphy of NC; Kandi Kirby of Alderson, WV; Janet Tharp and husband Bill of Charleston, WV; Harold Stanley of WA; and one special nephew, Jackie Barlow and wife Brenda of Longs, SC, and many other family members.

For over 14 years, Joyce enjoyed a loving home on Sandlick Road with Jackie and Brenda Barlow before relocating to Longs, SC in July 2023. The family would like to thank Ann Mitchem, Lee Cleary and Kierstin Lanik who provided in home care and Nancy and Wendy from Gentiva’s hospice care. Thank you to Jackie Barlow II and his wife Marie for always being available to assist, comfort, spend time with and care for Aunt Joyce.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with Jackie W Barlow II officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell.

Friends may call prior to services on Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Bluefield Shriners Transportation Division, PO Box 53, Bluefield, WV 24701 in memory of Joyce Ann Bower.