JOAN M. FOX

1927 - 2017

JOAN M. FOX, 89, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2017, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington. Born on August 30, 1927, in Bexley, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late William Haffey and Mary Bailey Haffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Philip Fox; her sister, Mary Ella Heitz; and her niece, Suzie Zappulla. Joan grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a teen, she visited her uncle, Morris Bailey, where she worked at his popular Bailey's Cafeteria during the summers. She loved the Huntington green hills so much that she later moved there. Joan graduated business college and became a secretary, got married and owned a home where she reared two sons. She was behind the same desk for 28 years as secretary at Peyton Elementary School. Joan was also the Librarian, sick room attendant, and also addressed the needs of staff, teachers, students and parents daily. She was baptized and married by her father-in-law, Dr. William J. Fox, at the 20th Street Baptist Church. Joan was a faithful member of the Highlawn Baptist Church and attended the Koinonia Sunday school class for over 60 years. She was never opinionated or outspoken, but her Christian lifestyle and example influenced her family and hundreds of students. Those left to honor her memory include her brother-in-law, Charles Heitz of Godfrey, Ill.; sons, Ken Fox of Huntington and Don Fox of Versailles, Ky.; two granddaughters, Ashley Lewis and her husband, Mark, and Stephanie Hoke and her husband, Kevin, of Lexington, Ky.; three adorable great-grandchildren, twins, Pace and Everly Lewis, and newborn, Haisley Hoke; niece, Kathie Woeltje, and nephew, Joe Heitz. Joan cherished her school teacher friends and Sunday school classmates. She especially loved her special friends, Lois White and Sharon Blume. The family is grateful for the care of St. Mary's nurses and especially the wonderful, kind and gentle attention from the staff at Hospice House. Funeral Services will be held for Joan at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Beard Mortuary, with Pastor Robin Crouch officiating. Burial will follow at Woodmere Memorial Park in Huntington. The family will welcome friends at noon at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joan's honor to the Hospice House of Huntington or local Gideon Bible. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.beardmortuary.com.