Joan (Hill) Tracey

Mrs. Joan Hill Tracey, 84 died peacefully on 4/30/18 at her home in McCormick, South Carolina.  Joan was described by almost all who knew her as the epitome of a southern lady which is not surprising considering she was born January 17, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia to Thomas and Lillian Hill.  She later moved to Augusta, Georgia at the age of two after her father’s unexpected death. Joan and her older brother Tom, were raised in a loving home on Heard Avenue by a strong role model, their single mother and teacher.

Joan would later graduate from Richmond Academy and attended Augusta Junior College before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  This was the beginning of her one of her other passions, that of all things Tar Heel Blue, but especially their basketball team.  Joan earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching and returned to her home town of Augusta to begin her career. 

In 1956, Joan met the love of her life, Jerry Tracey, a New Orleans native and engineer at the Savannah River Site.  She married Jerry on September 20, 1958 in Augusta, Georgia.  Joan worked as a teacher at Fleming Elementary from 1955 through 1960.  She had the first of her three children, a son, Steve in 1961, followed by second son, Daryl, in 1963 and a daughter, Jane, in 1965.  In 1963 Joan and Jerry moved their family from Augusta to Parkersburg, WV. 

Joan was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Vienna and served as the President of the Church Council and later was an active member of First Lutheran of Parkersburg. Joan and Jerry would later help establish the Lutheran Church on the Lake in McCormick, SC where she was a member of the church choir.  Joan was also active in many activities but especially with initiating meal programs for the sick and visiting those members who were in hospitals, nursing homes, or confined to their own homes.

Joan and Jerry were always active in tennis programs throughout there 59 years of marriage.  Joan loved life, a glass of wine, hiking, biking, water skiing, aerobics, snorkeling and snow skiing.  Joan also loved to travel with her husband and friends delighting in visiting faraway places not only in the United States but also Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.  Joan was an avid gardener and was especially fond of her roses which brightened her own home and the homes of her friends. 

But most of all Joan took pride in her close relationships with both her family, extended family and friends. Joan was the Tracey family’s epicenter, it’s moral compass.  She ran a summer camp for all the grand kids at SLV.  We all enjoyed our family vacations each year at the beach and or skiing. A family gathering at Thanksgiving or Christmas was a must.  Joan truly set the example and standard for all of us to strive for and for that she will be sorely missed.

Joan is survived by her husband, Jerry, her three children, Steve Tracey and his wife Dana, Daryl Tracey, and Jane Tracey; her five grandchildren, Savannah, Claire, Madison, Grant, and Juliette, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Lillian Hill, as well as her brother, Thomas E. Hill II.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 11a.m. at the Lutheran Church By The Lake with Pastor Jim Kinsler officiating.  A lunch at church will follow the service.  The family will have a private interment. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorial gifts be made to one of the following: The Alzheimer’s Foundation, The Lutheran Church on the Lake Building Fund, or Hospice Care of South Carolina.

Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Ave., Lincolnton is in charge of arrangements.

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