Joyce McAbee Obituary

Elsie Joyce Kernells McAbee, age 87, of 602 Oakview Farms Road, Woodruff, SC, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, July 25, 2025. Born in 1937, Joyce was a lifelong resident of Woodruff and was married to her high school (class of 1955) sweetheart, the late Wendell McAbee, for 57 years. She was the daughter of the late Clyde and Frances Few Kernells. For many years, she was a member of Lanford Baptist Church, Lanford, SC, where she was a member of the Senior Couple Sunday School Class, and served as one of the assistant teachers. She was also a member of the W.M.U., where she served as Mission Project Chairman, assistant director for a few years, and had been a choir member. She also taught different Sunday School classes, and Training Union Classes and was a member of the Secret Sister Club. She loved her church and her Lord. Joyce was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron and several other positions for many years. Later in life, she became a member of Woodruff First Baptist Church, where she attended while she was still able. Joyce enjoyed working with her hands and making things for others. She was a talented seamstress for many years, and she also enjoyed making ceramics. Later in retirement she took up woodworking. She loved gardening and flowers, gospel and country western music, being with her family and sharing time with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She is survived by two sons, Marty McAbee (Lynn) of Woodruff, and Daniel McAbee (Jolene) of Simpsonville, as well as three daughters, Sheila Sellars (Wayne) of Woodruff, Wendy Miller (Dennis) of Boiling Springs, and Ann Davis (Robert) of Woodruff. In addition, Joyce was surrounded by a large extended family, including grandchildren: Randall McAbee, Duane (Landon) Sellars, Jonathan Miller, Lindsey (Lane) Shilling, Landon Miller, Danielle (Henry) Lampley, Bradley (Casey) Davis, Sara Lynn (Bryan) Grubbs, Robbie (Kylie) Davis, Callyn Fahey, Lauren McAbee and Adam McAbee. She was also predeceased by two grandchildren, Wendell Sellars and Brooke Davis. She was blessed with 19 great-grandchildren, preceded in death by one, Declan Shilling, and three great-great-grandchildren. Joyce was the last surviving child in her family, as she was predeceased by her brother, Winfred Kernells and her sister, Genevieve Morrison. Visitation will take place at Lanford-Gwinn Mortuary, Woodruff, SC on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A private graveside service, led by Rev. Larry Pitts, will be held at Unity Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105 or www.st.jude.org Lanford-Gwinn Mortuary