Obituary of Joy Renee Gaines
Joy Renee Gaines, 62 of Fairmont, WV, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2022 at J.W Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. She was born December 19, 1959, in Three Bridges, NJ, the daughter of Scott and Marie Graves.
Joy was valedictorian of her graduating class at Barrackville High School and earned her undergraduate degrees in English and French from Fairmont State College and Master’s degree in Communications from WVU. During her 37-year career at North Marion High School, she was named Marion County Teacher of the Year, Language Arts Teacher of the Year, became a National Board Certified teacher and served as chair of the English/Language Arts department for many years. Upon retirement, Joy began teaching education classes and mentoring student teachers at Fairmont State University. Her work was vitally important to her and she enriched many lives, ultimately inspiring many of her students to become English teachers. Joy also served as the church secretary for Central Christian Church of Fairmont and was a member of Life United Methodist Church in Fairmont. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, Mu Chapter, where she was a 25-year Silver Sister.
Joy was full of life and spent her time enjoying her family and friends and her beloved dogs, Emma and Ava. She was an avid reader of good books, an accomplished cook, and hosted many festive gatherings. Joy loved spending time outdoors and growing gorgeous flowers was a special hobby. She enjoyed the gym life and worked out with her husband Jay at Planet Fitness. She was a caregiver to many and was always ready and organized to help. Joy was happiest in life when she was surrounded by her boys, Evan and Adam, and their friends. She was loved by many, and her strength, compassion and joyous nature will be forever missed.
Joy is survived by her husband, Jay Gaines, her sons, Evan Gaines at home and Adam Gaines, of the US Air Force, stationed in Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, her father, Scott Graves and mother Marie Conrad Graves of Ice’s Run in Fairmont. Brothers, Glen (Donna) Graves of Ice’s Run, David (Stacey) Graves of Conover, NC and sister, Sherry Daft of Ice’s Run, as well as a father-In-law, Jim Gaines of Fairmont, sisters-in-law, Margie Craig of Leesburg, VA and Beckie (Dick)Tennant of Winchester, VA., nieces and nephews, Brittany Jones, Travis Jones, Sarah Ours, Casey Graves, Justin Graves, Autumn Jackson, Devon Graves, Caitlin Graves, Tiffany Coleman and Holly Talada, several great nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and her longtime friend, Donna Suplita. She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Nancy Gaines, her grandparents, Everette and Flora Graves and Woodrow and Lula Belle Conrad.
The family has entrusted the arrangements to Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV. There will be no public services held at this time. A remembrance service will be held at a later date to celebrate her life. In keeping with Joy’s life of giving, she chose to be an organ doner, so that others may continue to have the gift of life. Online condolences may be made to www.fordfuneralhomes.com.
