Joyce Lesh

Burlington, NC Joyce Ehrlich Lesh, age 82, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 5, 2014 at ARMC. She was the wife of 60 years to the late Don E. Lesh who died in 2013. Joyce was born and raised in Lima, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University, graduating in 1954 with a nursing degree. She married Don Lesh while in school, which began a loving relationship that would last over 60 years. Together they had three children, and she took great delight in being a wife, mother, and homemaker. Her life was forever changed in 1972 when she and her husband accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour at the Canton Baptist Temple. They faithfully served the Lord for 30 years in the choir and other ministries. During her children's college years, she worked at the North Canton Medical Center. She also was a volunteer at the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Canton. She and her husband enjoyed traveling at home and abroad, with her favorite destination being the ocean. The Lord gave her a great love for her family, and her greatest joy was spending time with them. She built a special relationship with each family member, and all felt close and cherished by her. She was truly an example of her Lord, always thoughtful and encouraging, living her life for others. Her desire was to please the Lord, and her children and grandchildren were inspired by her godly counsel, guidance, and faithful prayers. When Don's health began to fail, they moved to North Carolina to be near their son, Rick. She and Don were members of the First Baptist Church of Durham, where they served faithfully. She continued to be a devoted wife and care giver to her husband until his home-going in November of 2013. Now she and her husband are together again in Heaven with our Lord. While she will be greatly missed by her family and friends, we rejoice that she is at home with her Saviour and Lord. Survivors include her son, Rick Lesh and his wife, Nancy of Burlington; daughters, Kellie Benge and her husband, Jerry of Keiv, Ukraine and Kathy Slabaugh and her husband, Pastor Stan Slabaugh of Columbus, Ohio; Nine Grandchildren and Eight Great Grandchildren and Lee Geaman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania among other special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Lesh; mother, Virginia Hansen Ehrlich and a sister, Madelyn Geaman. A service to celebrate her life and Lord will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Durham and a private burial will follow at Gibsonville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:45-1:45 pm on Tuesday prior to the service at the First Baptist Church of Durham and other times at the home on Monday from 6-8 pm