Joyce L. Poarch

Ms. Joyce L. Poarch peacefully transitioned from this life on September 30, 2026, at the Dunlop House Assisted Living and Memory Care in Colonial Heights, Virginia. A former Stony Creek native, Joyce was the second child born to the late Watsey A. Poarch and Daisy C. Poarch in Petersburg, Virginia, on February 2, 1952.

At an early age, Joyce confessed Christ; she was baptized and became a member of Little Bethel Baptist Church, Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Joyce was truly a dedicated servant of God and she loved her church and church family deeply. Joyce was an active member of the Usher Ministry where she served faithfully for 42 years until her health declined. She took pride in this duty, welcoming those entering with a warm and loving smile.

Joyce was a 1971 graduate of Central High School, now known as Sussex Central High School. She furthered her education at Smith-deal Massey Business College, Richmond, Virginia. Joyce had a very strong work ethic. She was hard-working, dependable, a quick learner, and always willing to lend a helping hand to coworkers when asked and as needed. Driven by a strong work ethic, Joyce built a diverse career across several companies, including Titmus Optical, the Reynolds Metals Company, the HON Company, and Mondelez (from which she retired). She also spent memorable time at Macy’s, where she was loved by both her coworkers and customers.

Joyce was a very kind, caring and giving person to the point of putting herself on the back burner just to make sure others were taken care of. She had a tremendous love for the caregivers and fellow residents at Dunlop as she was often found assisting the residents to get around as long as her health permitted. Joyce especially loved her grands, often making sacrifices to ensure that they were taken care of during their youth.

In addition to her father, Joyce was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Kiara Poarch; sisters, Alvin P. Crowder and Barbara P. Jackson; paternal grandparents, Watsey and Rebecca Poarch; and her maternal grandparents, Harvey and Otelia Curley.

Joyce leaves to cherish loving memories: her only child whom she loved dearly, Corey Poarch, Sr. (Renee) of Petersburg, Virginia; her mother, Daisy Poarch of Stony Creek, Virginia; sisters, Gail Shands (Rudolph) of Stony Creek, Virginia, and Deborah Day of Carson, Virginia; brothers, Andre Poarch of Smithfield, Virginia, and Darry Poarch of Hampton, Georgia; five grandchildren, Arielle Poarch, Jeanetta King, Tori Peterson (De’Von), Corey Poarch, Jr. and Damon Delgado; seven great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Ronnie Crowder; aunts, very devoted and unwavering, Zenobia Harvell (James), Ellen Robinson, Blanche Smith, Katherine Massenburg, Dorothy Poarch, Virginia Ann Poarch, Rev Dr. Ethel Poarch and Ann Poarch; and a host of nieces and nephews; long-time devoted friends: Gloria Taylor, Geraldine Jones, Landon Tucker, Mrs. Ernestine Banks, Dorothea Gaffney, and Florence Marshall.

We thank the staff, loving caregivers and activity coordinators at Dunlop House, hospice and guardian care agencies, family, friends, and the Little Bethel Baptist Church family for their love and support and those who visited Joyce during her illness and stay at Dunlop House.

Services will be held 12 Noon, Friday, October 9, 2026, at Little Bethel Baptist Church, 23503 Flatfoot Road, Stony Creek, VA, the Rev. Boris Kizzie, Pastor and eulogist, the Rev. Roletta Banks, officiant. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

Relatives and friends are asked to assemble at the residence of Gail Shands at 11:00 A.M. the day of the service.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/1234570778?fl=tl&fe=ec