Joyce Virginia Gunter Geeslin
February 8, 1931 – February 16, 2025

Joyce Virginia Gunter Geeslin, affectionately known as Joy, of Grenada, Mississippi, peacefully passed away in her sleep on Sunday, February 16, 2025. She was 94 years young.

Joy was born to Otis Revere and Mary Annis Gunter on February 8, 1931, in Oxford, Mississippi. 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, 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 who 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.

Joy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, O.W. Geeslin; her parents Otis and Annis Gunter; her sisters Jean Gunter Hylander and Mary Gunter Benoist. She is survived by her sister Patricia Gunter Adkins (Jerry).

Joy was cherished by her nieces and nephews who will greatly miss her; 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.

Her grandnieces and grandnephews knew her well and she was active in their lives; 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 blessed with many great grandnieces and grandnephews; 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.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Oddfellows Cemetery, Grenada, Mississippi.