Joyce King

Athens Dr. Joyce Ann King has gone to heaven.

She passed peacefully on April 22, 2025, at the age of 86, and leaves behind a legacy of education, tenacity and love.

She was preceded in death by her sister Clara, brothers Bill and Fred, and her nephews Robbie, Jay, and John as well as great niece Amy. She is survived by sisters Nadine and Betty, and 35 nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Joyce was born in Kentucky, raised in poverty in West Virginia, but made her home in Ohio. After graduating in 1956 from Sherman High School, she went to Washington, D.C. to work as an FBI typist earning money to attend West Virginia University Institute of Technology for her Bachelor's degree. She started coaching there and is pictured happily receiving a First-place FBI Intramural Softball trophy from J. Edgar Hoover. Her passion for coaching and teaching evolved into a fulfilling career at Ohio University. While teaching and coaching at OU she built her home in Athens and earned her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Recreation and Health and Sports Sciences. In 1991 Dr. King was recognized for her part in creating the Recreation Studies program at OU.

A former student who grew into a dear friend and colleague, said of Joann: "She worked us hard but in a positive way, always throwing out compliments for something we did, then showing us things we needed to work on... [there was always] an inspiration to work harder... She was respectful, kind, fun loving, and generous in everything I was ever involved in that she directed...Anything she did, she became dedicated to making it better with her knowledge, hard work, and tenacity. It was a well-deserved honor that the new O.U. Putting Room was named for her last year. I was thrilled to capture a picture of her celebrating her hole in one at the dedication ceremony. Whether with her church, habitat, her students, and our golf association, her presence was appreciated with her great spirit. She gave of herself fully."

Joyce enjoyed giving and helped those who were in need by working tirelessly to help improve their lives, and embellish the lives of those in her community. She was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Athens, Ohio for 29 years and used her woodworking skills to make wooden crosses used for various services. She volunteered to work with the children during Vacation Bible School and Sunday School by helping them to make wooden crafts relating to Bible stories.

One of her passions was Habitat for Humanity, and she worked with the chapter Athens Women Raise the Roof, where housing was built locally and in Puerto Rico for those in need. She supported this charity until her end, so in lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to Habitat for Humanity of Southeast OH, 14440 St. Rt. 13, Millfield, OH 45761 Attn: Dawn for Joyce King. These funds will be earmarked for a local friend of hers who has qualified for a home.

Dr. Joyce Ann King, Professor Emerita of Ohio University was a teacher, a coach, a volunteer, a marathon runner, a woodworker, a passionate golfer...but above all she will be remembered and missed as a beloved friend, aunt and sister. She will be sorely missed.

A memorial service will be held on May 17 at Christ Lutheran Church, 69 Mill Street, Athens, Ohio. Visitation with family and friends will be at 1:00pm with the service at 2:00pm and a reception to follow.

Joyce King