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Joan Eileen Seymour, age 66, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, October 4, 2014, after fighting a 5 year long illness. She was surrounded by her family at her home in Akron, PA.

Born June 23, 1948 in Chester, PA to the late Clifford G. and Barbara L. (Howard) Mullett

Joan graduated from Chichester High School in 1966, she went on to attend
Houghton College and graduated in 1970 with a major in English. In 2005, she graduated from Philadelphia Biblical University with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in education.

Joan was raised in Boothwyn, PA and after college graduation she moved to Norfolk, VA where she met her husband. They moved to Chester, PA, and settled in Akron, PA in 1985.

Joan desired to serve the Lord in Christian education and was employed for almost 45 years by various Christian schools teaching children in grades K-12 throughout VA, DE and PA. Grandview Heights Christian Academy, Ephrata, PA and Lancaster Christian School, Lampeter PA were where she taught most recently. She had a heart to help children who had learning challenges and earned her certification with N.I.L.D., National Institute of Learning Development. Her last 20 years in education were focused on helping children of all ages overcome those challenges. In addition to teaching full time, Joan also enjoyed working as a waitress part-time at the Akron Restaurant for 12 years.

Joan received Jesus Christ as her Savior and made Him her Lord at the age of 10. She loved Jesus and her family dearly. Joan lived every day for the glory of God. Faithfully praying for her family, her students, her friends and others she met along her path.

Joan loved herbs and gardening, going to beach with her family and blowing bubbles with her grandchildren. Joan and her family went to Colonial Meadows Family Campground in NJ every summer for almost 30 years where many lifelong friends and memories were made.
Joan was a Phillies Phanatic and watched or listened to every single game. She inherited her love of baseball from her Father.

Joan encouraged her husband Mike as he fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a Pastor and supported him as he led the congregation of the Denver Bible Church for the last 5 years. She also helped him minister at various churches and organizations on behalf of The Voice Of The Martyrs. They were married for 43 years.

Joan will be remembered for her bright smile, her kind and gentle ways, her thoughtful and tenderheartedness and her desire to help others. Her husband lovingly describes her life as Proverbs 31:29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Joan is survived by her loving husband, Michael C. Seymour Sr. of Akron; a daughter Corinne M. Adams, wife of Matthew M. Adams of Denver; 3 sons, Michael C. Seymour Jr. of Ephrata, Douglas C. Seymour Sr., husband of Christina L. Seymour of Denver, Brian J. Seymour, husband of Kaila L. Seymour of Ephrata; grandchildren, Virginia, Robert, James, William, Daniel, Cory, Zachary; Ryan, Kimberly, Stephanie, Douglas Jr. and Ruby; great grandchildren, Logan and Coleman; and a sister Barbara J. Kershner of Fort Myers FL.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Russell R. Harris Jr., Don D. Harris and a sister Cheryl L. Bilbrough.
.A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 10, at 6 pm, at New Covenant Church of God, 111 E. Chestnut Street, Ephrata, with Pastor Rick Clark officiating. A private burial will be held for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be sent to N.I.L.D., 801 Greenbriar Parkway, Suite B, Chesapeake, VA 23320.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.

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