Cover photo for Joycelyn Foster's Obituary
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1935 Joycelyn 2009

Joycelyn Foster

August 11, 1935 — November 18, 2009

Mrs. Joycelyn (Joy) V. Foster, 74 of Christiansburg, VA, passed away at her residence surrounded by her two children, Michael Paul and Elizabeth Foster Stanziale, after a five-year battle with cancer.

Born August 11, 1935 in Besoco, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late George Edward Via, Sr. and Burgia E. Via. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jack E. Via, and sister, Jewel V. Smith, as well as brother-in-law, Hugh W. Huff, Jr. In addition to her children, she is survived by her beloved grandsons, Dominick and Christopher Stanziale and son-in-law, Rick Stanziale of Jefferson, GA; brothers, George E. Via, Jr. of Richmond, VA, and Dr. David L. Via and wife Betsy of Virginia Beach, VA, sister, Hope Shrewsberry of Roanoke, VA, and sister- in-law Mrs. (Ann) Hugh W. Huff of Pulaski, VA; many special nieces and nephews.

Joy graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1952. She attended Radford College for a time but chose to marry the love of her life, Paul H. Foster, Jr. She was married for six years before losing him to cancer, leaving her to raise two children. While working as a library aide in the Montgomery County Public School System, she went to Radford College at night to obtain her BS degree in business and her MS degree in Library Media Specialist. She worked as a librarian at Christiansburg Primary School and Auburn High School. She was chosen by the Marquis WHO’S Who Publications Board to be included in their 1993-1994 edition of Who’s Who of American Women. She was also honored at the Virginia Educational Media Association meeting in 1999 with the Meritorious Service Award based on her exemplary service.

After 28 years in the public school system, Joy retired in 2000. She remained active with the Montgomery County Retired Teachers’ Association and served on the board of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. She was an active member of Christiansburg Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir for 56 years and was an ordained Elder. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren; and enjoyed volunteering at the Montgomery County Museum, playing bridge with her friends, traveling, special beach trips, reading, movies, and was always up for eating out with friends.

Her children are eternally grateful for the strong spirit, determination, hard work, and perseverance that she demonstrated throughout her entire life and illness and all the ways she took care of them until her death. They would like to thank all her family and friends for their support and love for her throughout her life.

The family will receive friends from 1p.m.-2p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church with a funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Sunset Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers you may make contributions to Christiansburg Presbyterian Church or to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library Fund.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joycelyn Foster, please visit our flower store.

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