Joan Byrne

Juanita "Joan" Fulkerson Byrne, 78, of Owensboro, went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2024, surrounded by her family while under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. Joan was born in Elba, Ky., on January 7, 1946, to the late John Sylvester and Corinne Fulkerson. Joan spent her early years in Elba until the age of 10, after which she and her family moved to St. Joseph, KY where she completed her education at Mount Saint Joseph Academy. Following her graduation, she embarked on her professional journey at Kentucky Electronics, holding a position in Quality Control. Her career later transitioned to Cantex, where she served as a traffic controller. Joan concluded her professional endeavors with a tenure of over 20 years as an administrator at Alexander and Company, CPAs marking her retirement from the workforce.

On August 29, 1964, Joan and J.L. Byrne united in marriage, embarking on a journey that would span nearly six decades, with their shared devotion to family and faith at its core. For Joan, family was the cornerstone; she and J.L. played an active role in every facet of their daughters' lives, supporting them through every significant moment. Once their daughters began their own journeys, the couple ensured that family remained a central focus. Every Sunday, they hosted a family meal, with Joan orchestrating the kitchen and J.L. at the helm of the grill. Over the years, the number of seats at the table expanded, welcoming the arrival of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reflecting the growing legacy of their love and unity. Joan and J.L. also cherished family vacations together, exploring places like Green Turtle Bay, Gatlingburg, and Gulf Shores, further nurturing their tight-knit family bonds. Joan also prioritized staying connected with her siblings (The Elba Gang), gathering most Wednesdays at their childhood home to share stories and solve puzzles, and Joan's favorite pastime of mowing the grass, ensuring that the warmth of family extended beyond her immediate household.

Joan and J.L. dedicated their lives not just to their family and faith but to one another, sharing an unbreakable bond that many aspire to. They enjoyed taking walks together, keen on reaching their daily step goals and feeding the ducks at Panther Creek Park. The ducks, familiar with their regular visits, would eagerly swim over as soon as they spotted their vehicle. This steadfast devotion persisted until Joan's passing, with J.L. embracing the roles of caregiver and nurse within their home, embodying the depth of his commitment and love for her. Often, you would hear J.L. tell Joan, "I Love you a bushel and a peck," and she would respond the same.

 Joan's absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her. Her playful spirit, always aiming to bring joy to others, along with her infectious smile and laughter, had the power to light up even the gloomiest of days.

 In addition to her parents, Joan was preceded in death by her brothers, Bill and his wife Marilyn, Doug and Larry Fulkerson and her sisters Gladys Peters and her husband Bobby, Norma Medley and her husband Carl, Mary Kennedy, Lola Whitesides, and Anna Clements;  mother and father in law, Ann and John D. Byrne Sr;  brother-in-law, John D. Byrne Jr, and sister-in-law Lanie Byrne.

 She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of almost 60 years, J.L. Byrne; beautiful daughters, Jacki Byrne (Tim Horn), Karen Booth (Brian), and Jennie Parker (Jason); grandsons, Michael and Josh (Kim) Mattingly, Garrett Booth (Jennifer), and Braedon and Kole Parker; granddaughters, Regann (Austin Osborne) and Brynnan Booth; bonus grandchildren Jesse Horn (Carolynn), and Sarah Duplooy (Conrad); great-grandchildren, Sara, Jackson, Jamison, and Ariya Mattingly, Avery and Lilly Ann Booth, Corinn Hayden, and Viviann Osborne; bonus great-grandchildren, Ann Marie Horn and Jace Wayne Duplooy;  sister, Sherry Holinde, and her husband, Sam; in-laws; Don Clements, Margie and Jim Rode, Mary Lou, and Darrell Payne, Eddie and Alo Byrne, Tony and Betty Byrne and Barbara Byrne Calhoun, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many other cherished family and friends.

 The Byrne family wishes to thank Hospice of Western Kentucky, especially Kara Foster, Jennifer Baldwin, and Amy Drake, for their compassionate care and her previous caregivers Kathy Halley and Ellijah Sumner.

 The funeral Mass for Joan Byrne will held at 11 am Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 3 pm until 7 pm Tuesday, with prayers at 5 pm and from 9 am to 10:15 am Wednesday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Right to Life Owensboro, P.O. Box 506 Owensboro, Kentucky 42302, or the St. Mary Magdalene Building Fund, 7232 KY-56, Owensboro, KY