Joyce Calmes Edwards Goetzinger

1940 - 2025

Joyce Calmes Edwards Goetzinger transitioned peacefully to her eternal home on February 3, 2025. She was born Joyce Lonnie Calmes on February 10, 1940, in Baton Rouge, LA. Predeceased by her parents, Thomas Allen and Lena Bankston Calmes and four siblings, Ralph Calmes, Aidren Calmes, Margie McGraw, and Audrey Lillie. She was also predeceased by her first husband, Edwin Neel Edwards, and a grandson, Joseph Stephen Bukovac. She is survived by her husband, Jim Goetzinger, and her children, Susan Edwards, Timothy Edwards (Karan), Jennifer Bukovac (Joseph), and Jonathan Edwards (Tracy). Survivors also include stepchildren Peter Goetzinger (Raquel), Steve Goetzinger (Jenny), Kurt Goetzinger, and Phillip Goetzinger (Lizzie), 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Joyce was an influencer long before TikTok and social media – as a teacher, mother, grandmother, friend, and wife. Her life was rooted in her love of God, family, and students. She mentored her extended family for more than 65 years. But equally important to her was mentoring elementary school students in Fairfax County, Virginia for almost 30 years. She was known for her captivating smile and the love she showed to everyone she met.
After retirement, she continued to teach as a docent at Gadsby Tavern in Alexandria, Virginia and The Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Virginia. Her retirement years also included travels with an adventurous spirit to Canada, England, Turkey, France and throughout the United States.
Special thanks to her always caring aide, Evelyn, the ever stellar staff at Discovery Village at the West End, and the ever present staff of Suncrest Hospice for their much appreciated support, great care, and sustaining love.
A visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Bliley's – Central, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 909 Rennie Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227. A livestream of the funeral can be found at www.blileys.com. Interment will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Alzheimer's Association chapter or a charity of your choice.