Glade Spring, Va.

Joyce Ann Rector Marion peacefully entered Heaven on June 4, 2026 after a very long and difficult battle with dementia that impacted her life in many ways for over fifteen years. Joyce was born on August 28, 1946, and lived in Southwest Virginia most of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy C. and Eva G. (Thomas) Rector, and her life partner of 30 years, Homer B. Blevins, who lovingly looked after Joyce in recent years.

Joyce was a homemaker for many years before working for the U. S. Gypsum Company and General Dynamics. She loved spending time outdoors in the mountains or fishing and relaxing in the Beaufort, SC area. Joyce was very talented and enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including tending to her flowers, basket-making, horseback riding, photography, ceramics, collecting seashells/shark's teeth, metal detecting, hunting, fishing, birdwatching, and genealogy.

Joyce is survived by her son Eric Marion; daughters Sheri Yarber and husband William, Teri Owens; her grandchildren who were the light of her life, Kelsey Leuzinger and husband Mark, Kristen Yarber and husband Angel, and Hailey Spencer; sister Carrie Hayden, and niece Amy Hayden. Joyce is also survived by four great-grandchildren that she adored, Clark and Theo Leuzinger, and Memphis and Timber Spencer; her close friend Shirley Brown, her lifelong friend Sylvia Ratcliff, and numerous cousins and friends.

Joyce's daughter Sheri would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the following: Sheriff Blake Andis and the WCSO deputies and dispatchers who repeatedly and frequently demonstrated compassion and patience during some of Joyce's most difficult days; Joseph Wolfe for his compassion and servant's heart; her loving in-home caregiver, Pam Fields, who kept Joyce safe and calm during very difficult moments; Wendy, Hannah, Melissa, and Amanda at the Bristol Health and Rehab Memory Care Unit; all staff and administration at Abingdon Health and Rehab who provided loving and respectful care for Joyce during her final years, including Cindy, Chloe Y., Kaitlynn, Nikita, Kiara, Ossama, June, Deana, Kim, Samantha, Issac, Karen N., Caitlin, Karen O., Chloe K., Kiara, Ruth Ann, and Christy; Sylvia Ratcliff, a dear friend who visited and offered encouragement as Joyce's health declined; her friends Mary Lee Cumbo and Connie Duncan who also visited and encouraged Joyce; cousins Jackie, Patsy, Rodney and Johnny for visiting Joyce in her final years, and special cousin Eddie Buskill, whom Joyce loved very much.

Loved ones are welcome to visit the home of Joyce's daughter and son-in-law, Sheri and William Yarber at 10735 Forest Hills Drive, Glade Spring, or Joyce's sister, Carrie Hayden, at 28138 Lee Hwy, Meadowview, at any time. A graveside funeral service will be held at 2pm on Sunday, June 7 at the Glade Spring Baptist cemetery on Forest Hills Drive in Glade Spring with Pastor Tracy Yarber officiating. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.

As her final act of generosity, Joyce made a donation to medical research in the hope of advancing the understanding and treatment of neurological diseases. Through this gift, she will continue to contribute to the search for answers and improved treatments for future generations. The family hopes her example will inspire others to consider organ, tissue, and research donation, giving the gift of hope, healing, and knowledge to others.

Online condolences may be made at drhendersonfuneralhome.com. The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is serving the family of Joyce Ann Rector Marion.