Lifelong Chillicothe Educator Joyce Atwood Passes Away at 81

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(Ware Funeral Home) – One of the Chillicothe City School’s most respected educators for almost a half-century has died. 81-year-old Joyce Atwood passed away Thursday, April 10th, 2025.

Joyce Charlene Atwood was born April 29, 1943 in Vinton County Ohio.  She was lovingly raised in the Chillicothe, Ohio home or her grandparents, Blanche and Pearl Workman.  She graduated from Chillicothe High School in 1961, went on to earn an Elementary Education degree from Ohio University and did post-graduate studies at the College of Mount St. Joseph and Ashland University.  Joyce dedicated her life to the education of Chillicothe youth, beginning as an Elementary teacher at Massie Elementary School and then a Reading teacher at Central Elementary School.  Joyce was a member and officer of the Chillicothe Education Association.  She became a school administrator, serving as the Assistant Principal at the Chillicothe Middle Schools.  Following that tenure, Joyce became the Curriculum Director for Chillicothe City Schools and was later promoted to Assistant Superintendent, also serving as an interim Superintendent when the need arose.  She started the Chillicothe City Schools’ Preschool and served as the Director of the newly created program.

Never one to be idle for long, following her retirement from Chillicothe City Schools, Joyce was employed with Ohio University-Chillicothe where she served as Director of the Child Development and Family Service Center, Resource Development Director and the Director of Development and Alumni Relations.  She was an organizer of Events Celebrating Women, and was the Director of Kids in College.

Joyce’s honors and recognitions in the education field were many, including:  The Chillicothe City Schools’ Atwood District Office Administration Building, which was renamed and dedicated in her honor, being chosen as a Distinguished Alumna by both Chillicothe High School and the Ohio University, where she received the award in 2018.  She is listed as a lifetime achiever by Marquis Who’s Who and is a member of the Ross County Hall of Fame.  In addition, Joyce received special awards from the following civic groups in which she was involved:  The Kiwanis 2018 Ohio Statehood Day Award and the Jaycees Citizen of the Year Award.

Joyce was a member of several organizations:  The PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization), where there has been a Joyce C. Atwood Scholarship in place for several years, the AAUW (American Association of University Women), the Altrusa Club, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way, and the Retired Teachers Association.  She also served on the boards of the Ross County YMCA and Adena Regional Medical Center.

Joyce was a thoughtful, loving and generous Christian woman and her influence on the Chillicothe community will be experienced by generations to come.  She was a lifelong member of Walnut Street United Methodist Church in Chillicothe where she was active in several groups and had served on many of the church’s boards and committees.  She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, and had Bible Studies in her home during which she and several of her friends gathered weekly to explore God’s Word.  Joyce will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

In addition to her grandparents, Blanche and Pearl Workman, Joyce was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, Jeane and Francis “Jake” Hinton.

A special thank you for the wonderful care provided by staff at the Schaefer Rehabilitation Center and Hospice of National Church Residences.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to PEO Foundation, Joyce Atwood Scholarship, c/o Marie Barada, 19 N. Malone Rd., Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 or a donation to the charity of your choice in Joyce’s memory.

 Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the WARE FUNERAL HOME with Pastor Therese K. Lehman, Walnut Street United Methodist Church and Pastor Obadiah Harris, Lifting Up Jesus Church.  Interment to follow at Little Mound Cemetery, Richmond Dale, Ohio. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and 1 hour prior to the service.