Joyce O. Shealy

Joyce Owen Shealy, 79, of Newberry went home to be with our Lord on Thursday, August 13, 2015, at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina.

Mrs. Shealy was born on May 20, 1936, the only daughter of the late Thomas Marvin Owen and Mary Alice Long Owen Smith. After Mr. Owen's death in World War II, Mrs. Owen married the late William Kendall Smith, who was very devoted to her family and whom Joyce loved dearly.

Joyce graduated from Newberry High School in 1954 and earned a degree from Newberry College School of Business. She worked in Columbia at Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph and in Newberry for the City of Newberry in the Financial Department until she retired.

Joyce was a member of Central United Methodist Church until she met and married the love of her life, Andrew Shealy. She then moved her membership to his church, O' Neal Street United Methodist Church, where she was a very active and treasured member. She attended the Adult Sunday School Class and served on many of the church's committees, including the Parsonage Committee and the Nomination Committee. One of the joys of her life was teaching in the Children's Sunday School for 25 years. She was a member of the O' Neal Street United Methodist Women where she was first a member of the former Eppie Chandler Circle and then the Nan Layton Circle, where she served as treasurer for many years. Of all the committees on which she worked at O' Neal, she particularly enjoyed the one responsible for decorating the church for Christmas and Easter and the fellowship hall for special occasions. For all of her work with the U.M.W., Joyce was awarded the Lifetime Pin. She was also a long time member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Mrs. Shealy was a lover of all forms of art, even caricatures, but she particularly enjoyed painting scenes in nature. She attended many art appreciation classes in Chapin. Perhaps more even than art, Joyce loved animals. She was an advocate of humane treatment and protection of all species. Many a kitten who found its way to her porch was the recipient of her care and loving kindness.

Mrs. Shealy lovingly devoted her life to her family and is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Andrew Shealy of Newberry, daughter, Renee Shealy Lindler (Stanley) of Peak, granddaughter, Andrea Renee Lindler of Chapin, brother, Timothy Marvin Owen (Nancy) of Newberry, a number of nieces and nephews and her treasured pets, “Miss Piggie, “Pee Wee” and “Pee Wee II”.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, August 16, 2015, at O' Neal Street United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Rosemont Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to O' Neal Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 5, Newberry, SC 29108.

Active pallbearers will be Larry Mims, Barry Mims, Ronnie Shealy, Bobby Shealy, Russell Shealy, David Long, Craig Bedenbaugh and Paul Dillon.

Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Shealy, Lee Foster, Jackie Swindler, members of the United Methodist Women and Men of O'Neal Street United Methodist Church.

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