A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Oddfellows Cemetery in Grenada for Joyce Virginia Gunter Geeslin, affectionately known as Joy, of Grenada, who peacefully passed away in her sleep on Sunday, Feb. 16. She was 94 years young.
Joy was born on Feb. 8, 1931, in Oxford, the daughter of the late Otis Revere and the late Mary Annis Gunter. After graduating from Grenada High School in 1949, she attended Mississippi State College for Women. She soon returned home to work for Grenada Industries, which later became Pennaco Hosiery. Joy began her career in 1950, as a secretary and retired in 1998, as the personnel director. Caring for the employees did not end at the company door: Joy often visited those in need in their homes, bringing gifts of food and offering comfort. She had a positive impact on countless lives in the community and loved her hometown of Grenada.
Joy married O.W. Geeslin on Valentine’s Day in 2000, and was widowed when O.W. passed on July 5, 2008. Though she did not have any children of her own, Joy was blessed with nieces and nephews, which were a large part of her family life. She was known as “Doy” to them and was a very special aunt, offering her love, advice and support, all blended with humor. Joy could tell a story or just describe everyday events and people with her astute observations and quaint sayings that kept the whole family laughing — if only we could remember all her comments. Her insight into personalities and character was seasoned by her kind heart and seen through the lens of her deep faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In addition to her beloved husband, O.W. Geeslin, and her parents, Otis and Annis Gunter, two sisters, Jean Gunter Hylander and Mary Gunter Benoist, preceded Joy in death.
Survivors include, one sister, Patricia Gunter Adkins (Jerry), and her nieces and nephews that cherished her and will greatly miss her including, Walter Ray Hylander III, Joyce Hylander Boswell (Curt), Bronwyn Benoist Parker (Walton), William Dean Benoist, Dr. Jonathan Ross Adkins (Paula), Jerod Gunter Adkins (Kara) and Judson Taylor Adkins.
Joy is also survived by her grandnieces and grandnephews that knew her well as she was active in their lives including, Alyssa Joy Hylander Petty (Justin), Hayley Ross Hylander Miller (Sam), Hannale Hylander, Haaken Hylander Boswell, Lauren Parker Hayward (Ragan), Mary Katherine Parker Denley (Sam), William Maxwell Benoist, Taylor Marie Benoist, Anna Ross Adkins, Mary Dobbs Adkins, Jonathan Elliot Adkins, Anderson Gunter Adkins and Sawyer Denham Adkins.
Joy was also blessed with many great grandnieces and grandnephews that survive her including, Joyce Katherine Petty, Carswell Lamar Petty, Madelyn Ann Miller, Henry Hylander Miller, Adeline Jean Hylander, Mary Louise Hayward, Parker Ragan Hayward, Ruth Katherine Hayward, Payton Parker Denley and Mary Bronwyn Denley.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
