Virginia Joyce Oldham

Virginia Joyce Oldham (Joyce), 79, of Martin, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, August 8, after a brief battle with lung cancer and heart failure. Joyce was a Weakley County native and lifelong resident, born on July 31, 1946, to A. Butler and Mildred V. Killebrew of Sharon. She graduated from Sharon High School (Class of 1964) and the University of Tennessee at Martin. Joyce's major was elementary education, and she taught fourth grade for several years at the Sharon School. After her teaching career, Joyce dedicated herself as a wife, mother, and cornerstone of her extended family.

Joyce was known for her kind disposition, her unselfish nature, and her hospitality. Her sweet iced tea was legendary, as was her memory of phone numbers and dates. Joyce was a devoted Jeopardy! watcher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, by Glynn Oldham, her beloved husband of 49 years, and by her brother, Larry Killebrew. She is survived by her son Neal Oldham, her daughter-in-law Ushma Shukla Oldham, her two granddaughters Ishani and Savita, all of Apex, North Carolina, and a sister-in-law, Darlene Riggs Killebrew, of Germantown, Tennessee.

Joyce was a donor to MERI through their Genesis program and hoped to benefit others. A visitation and graveside service will be held in Martin at a later date. Any memorials may be sent to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.