I was shocked to hear Joyce had passed, because the last time I saw her she was very chatty as was usual for her! It's hard to imagine Westminster without her. I want to share some memories of Joyce. When my husband and I first moved to Charlottesville and joined Westminster in 1987, I would call the church office from time to time, and she was the office administrator, so she would answer the phone. These were the days before email or texting.  Joyce always was warm and friendly, and I remember distinctly that on almost every occasion, she and I would end up chatting about something. I had a young baby at the time and wasn't working much. She listened, she gave me advice, just generally helped me navigate Charlottesville. Thank you Joyce; I will never forget your support. Later, when my younger son was 4, she and Forrest were his Sunday school teachers. They did such an excellent job with a large group of 4 -5 year olds. Particularly memorable was that they always ended every class with the children holding hands with them in a circle, and after saying a prayer, they passed "the squeeze" around the group, where someone would start it and each person would pass it to the next. 

Joyce shared her passion with all of us through the League of Women Voters.  That energy and engagement remains an important example for all of us.
I will always appreciate and respect her walking the talk.
Sue Friedman

With deep saddness and dearest gratitude for the life of Joyce Kerns and all that she meant to the Charlottesville community this comes to express my thanksgiving for her life and her commitments.  She was the historical memory of events and individual contributions to the communities where she found herself.  She loved her friends and family with care and faithfulness.  We will all miss her, knowing that if there are rewards in some other world where peace and joy are joined Joyce Kerns will be leading the parade.  I will miss her presence and pride in her family.  We will all miss her among us in this fractured old world.  She was a light in the darkness!!

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OBITUARY

Joyce Turner Kerns

April 12, 1939 – September 20, 2018

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