Joyce Marie (Silva) White, a familiar face in Lemoore, passes away at 80

As a lifelong Lemoore resident, Joyce was better known as Vav, “The First Lady,” Mrs. White, and Mom. She attended Stratford grammar school and graduated from Lemoore High School class of 1960, after which she attended the Galen Dental Nursing School in San Francisco. Though she worked in the dental industry for a couple of years, she is best known for working as Lemoore Crocker Bank’s friendliest bank teller. You would not only find her in the local branch but also find her cashing checks for Sailors on the base. She then went on to work until retirement for Kings Country Human Service Agency.

Joyce was devoted not only to her family but also to the community as well. The world revolved around her daughter Renee, and especially her grandson Justin. When not watching Justin’s sports, vacationing at Pismo, or spending time with family, she was involved in the Lemoore community. She served as President of the Lemoore High School Athletic Foundation, helped found the Lemoore Senior Center Citizen’s Bingo, and served as a member of King’s Rehabilitation Center, King’s County Red Ribbon Committee, and the Children’s Home Society.

Her community involvement has been recognized through numerous awards culminating when she was inducted into the Lemoore High School Hall of Fame in 2000. Ronnie and Joyce were honored to be named the Kings County Homecoming King and Queen in 2008.

We know Joyce from her many interactions and endless hours of volunteer work within her much-beloved community. Including organizing the snack bars for Renee’s Bobby Sox league, St Peter’s Church Building Committee, volunteering at Lemoore Elementary School, where both Renee and Justin attended, and Lemoore High’s basketball games, where she helped Ronnie run the time clock.

In addition, she served as either a board member or committee representative for the LHS Athletic Foundation, Lemoore Senior Citizens Inc., Kings Rehabilitation Center, Red Ribbon Committee, Kings County Cancer Society, Daffodil Days, LHS Centennial Committee, to name a few. If none of these rings a bell, then you may have talked with her at the Senior Center during bingo or at the Senior’s Firework Stand as she made you a snow cone. She was always there with her infectious smile and a helping hand.

Joyce, devoted wife, mother, and “Vavie” is survived by her daughter Renee Turner, her husband John, and grandson Justin Bate along with his wife Sarah. She was preceded in death by her husband Ronnie, parents DB and Mary Silva, and brothers Joe Silva and Gene Silva.

There will be a memorial service for family and friends at Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel Lemoore on Friday, June 2nd at 10:00 A.M. She will be interred next to Ronnie at Lemoore Cemetery during a private ceremony. No flowers are requested. Any donations should be sent directly to the Lemoore Senior Center.