Joy Keener Watson, 75, of Murphy, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022.
She was a native of Lincolnton, N.C., and a 1965 graduate of Lincolnton High School. She then attended and graduated from Western Carolina University in 1969, where she met her future husband, Joseph Wayne Watson, and received degrees in Marketing and Advertising. In 1971, she received a Degree in Business Education also from Western Carolina University. She later received her Master’s in Business Administration from Appalachian State University.
Joy began her career teaching sixth grade at Hiwassee Dam and Business Education at Andrews High School for three years. Joy continued teaching Business Education at Murphy High School for another 14 years. She became Vocational Director of Cherokee County Schools for 13 years until retirement in 2002.
Joy had kept a real estate broker’s license since 1981 and following retirement, she worked alongside her husband at Appalachian Land Company for many years.
She was a devoted member of Murphy First United Methodist Church and served as treasurer of Willing Workers/Willing Hands Circle.
She enjoyed cooking and gardening, and was a Murphy Bulldog, Georgia Bulldog and Atlanta Braves fan, but her greatest love was supporting her husband, children and grandchildren in all of their sporting events.
She was the daughter of the late Floyd and Emma Keener. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Michael Keener.
Surviving are her loving husband of 53 years, Wayne Watson; a daughter, Kellee Watson and Wes Johnson of Atlanta; a son, Joseph Watson and wife Heather of Murphy; two grandsons, John Parker and Brady Watson; two sisters-in-law, Denise Keener and Karen Watson and husband Flip; a niece, Nikol Edwards; and three nephews, Jonathan Watson, Andy Keener and Aaron Keener.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 5, at Murphy First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wil Posey officiating. The interment will be in Sunset Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tyler Edwards, Brandon Dockery, Erik Laney, Hayden Rogers, Caesar Campana and Gary Thompson. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Westmoreland, Scott Fletcher, David Gentry and Bill Dyer.
The family will receive friends from 10-11:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Murphy First United Methodist Church, prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Joy Keener Watson to the Willing Hands Circle, Murphy First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 86, Murphy, NC 28906.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhome.com.