Joyce Evelyn (Bowman) Pugh

Joyce Evelyn (Bowman) Pugh of Floyd, Virginia went to her eternal rest with God on
November 16, 2023. Joyce was born in Floyd on May 31, 1929, to Luther Bowman and
Carsie (Reed) Bowman. She grew up on a working farm with three older sisters and a
younger brother, graduating from Floyd High School in 1945. It was clear that Joyce was
very bright from a young age. Despite her intellectual prowess and tenacity, her plans for
college were derailed by a family hardship. Joyce married the love of her life, Leslie
(affectionately known as Les) Pugh in 1949. They welcomed two sons, John and Robert,
shortly after and cultivated a life on their Easter Creek Farm in Floyd. As Les worked full-
time at the Radford Arsenal, Joyce kept the home front thriving with its endless duties. She
did it all: nurturing the boys, taking care of elderly parents, raising livestock, and tending the
land with a quiet inner strength and determination. When John and Robert were in high
school, she made the remarkable decision to fulfill her aspiration to achieve an advanced
degree. She graduated Radford College with two degrees and became a beloved English
teacher at Floyd High School for 16 years. Joyce was an inspirational teacher and girls’
tennis coach, encouraging her students to reach their full potential. Throughout her life, she
devoted herself to making the world around her beautiful, whether it was through a hand-
stitched quilt, the extensive garden banks and beds at the farm, or a home-cooked meal
served for her family. The daughter of a pastor, her faith was integral to her daily life and
Joyce faithfully served Mount Elbert Methodist Church for decades. Joyce not only believed
in Jesus, she sought to live and love as he did. Together with Les, they were a force for
good in the community, living a life of dedicated service - always willing to lend a helping
hand. When she retired, Joyce enjoyed continuing to work on her flower and vegetable
gardens on the farm, playing tennis (which she enjoyed until her 80s), and traveling the
world (from African safaris to adventures in Europe, South America, and Australia). She
was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 73 years, Les, her parents, and siblings.
Joyce is survived by her two sons and their wives John & Sue of Southport, NC and Robert
& Theresa of Riner, VA, 4 grandchildren (Brian, Veronica, Matthew, and Amanda) and 9
great-grandchildren. She lived a long life full of purpose, family, love, and adventure and the
world is more beautiful for her 94 years in it. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she
impacted in her family, students, church, and the community, and in the most spectacular
display of beautiful gardens and flowers along Alum Ridge Road.

Public visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 28th at Horne Funeral Home.
The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Sunset Cemetery in
Christiansburg immediately following the service. All are welcome at a reception to
celebrate Joyce’s life at Mount Elbert Methodist Church following interment.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to New River Community College Educational
Foundation.