Joan Dunham, 89, of Sciotoville, went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 12, 2025, at SOMC Hospice in Portsmouth. She was born June 28, 1936 in Portsmouth, to the late Frank Dunham and Ruth (Irvin) Cassidy.
Joan was a homemaker and had worked as an Aide at West End Day Care. Joan was a follower of Christ and attended North Moreland Christian Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Wood and Evelyn Andre, and two grandchildren, TJ Hanshaw and Troy Hanshaw.
Joan is survived by her three sons, Donald Bowens, Robert Bowens, and Fred Bowens (Donna), five daughters, Rosie Hewett (David), Judy Bowens, Donna Bowens, Diane Winters (Rick), and Mary Grate, and a brother Frank Adams (Deborah). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Melissa Nicholson (Nick), Jason Bowens, Donald Bowens II, Shawn Hanshaw, Davey Hewett, Tiffany Thorne (Devin), Reese Horn, Dena Horn, Kayla Horn, Scott Buffington, Joey Buffington, Phillip Buffington, Tyler Secriest, Ashley Secriest, Tara Grate, Ashley Grate, Paul Grate, Freddie Bowens, Jessica Deck (DJ), Dasha Buckley, and Rhonda Leach (Cody), also many great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and of course her favorite child, her cat George.
“While we grieve her passing, we find solace in the hope of Christ’s resurrection and the assurance that we will one day be reunited in God’s eternal kingdom”. Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, September 18, 2025 at Melcher Hammer Funeral Home in Portsmouth. Burial will follow in Piketon at Mound Cemetery. A visitation for friends and relatives will be on Thursday at the funeral home, from 11:00 AM until the start of service at 1:00 PM.
Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
