Ruth Joyce Harmon

Ruth Joyce Justice Wright Harmon, born June 12, 1947, in Russell County, Virginia, died Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Clinch Valley Medical Center after a long and hard-fought battle with metastatic breast cancer. Joyce was a daughter of the late Winfred E. Justice and Helen D. Whitt Justice also of Russell County. She lived her entire life in the Horton Ridge section of Swords Creek and was the third generation of her family to do so. As she used to say, “she was a wife, a mother, and a widow before she was 21 years old”. Her first husband, Grover C. Wright, Jr. was killed in service in Vietnam leaving her a Gold Star widow with a six-month-old child, Brian. Five years later, she met and married Thomas W. Harmon. Married to Tom, she became a coal miner’s wife and learned to squeeze blood from a turnip as strikes were very common in the early years of her marriage. It was during this time that her second son, Thomas Gregory Harmon, was born. A dedicated mother, she still found time as an avid gardener, and she canned everything she raised. She was a true partner in marriage, a devoted daughter, and a loving mother. She was no stranger to hard work. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Thomas W. Harmon of Horton Ridge. She is also survived by her two sons, Dr. Brian Wright, and wife, Kathy Colley-Wright, of Horton Ridge. She is also survived by her son, Rev. Greg Harmon, and wife, Denise Fuller Harmon, of Cedar Bluff. She is survived by two granddaughters whom she adored, Ms. Zoe E. Wright and Ms. Isa H. Wright. She lovingly accepted the title of “Nae” from her firstborn granddaughter. From that first utterance, she was Nae to everyone she loved. Joyce is also survived by three brothers: Earl Justice (Peggy) of Chester, VA, Carl Justice and wife Marlys of Homestead, FL, and Larry Justice and wife Mary of Mocksville, NC. In addition to her beloved parents, she was also preceded in death by her two dear sisters and a precious brother: Phyllis Miller (Gary), Joan Ball (Herby), and Mike Justice (Ann). The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Fady Tawadros for his truly human approach in dealing with his patients. We truly value his kindness to us. The family would also like to express thanks to the staff on the fifth floor at Clinch Valley Medical Center. Kay, Irene, Deana, Josh, and many others that we can’t name right now took such very good care of her as her body began to fail in its long-fought battle against the enemy which was cancer. They were truly angels of mercy to her and her family. Joyce was a member of Calvary Holiness Tabernacle, and her funeral will be held there on Wednesday, June 1 at 2:00 pm, Funeral services will be conducted by Rev John Fuller, Rev Ralph Shortridge, and her son, Rev Greg Harmon. Entombment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Virginia. John I. Fuller, Bill Whitt, Doug Whitt, Chris Woodard, Tony Justice, and Russell Justice will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, May 31, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm, at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia, and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Ruth Joyce Harmon

June 12, 1947 - May 28, 2022