Joyce L. (Stevenson) French

Joyce LeJeune (Stevenson) French, age 83, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 24,, 2025, at the Westmorland Hospital with her loving family by her side.

Joyce was born in Leisenring, PA on September 1, 1941, the daughter of the late Mack McKinley and Edna Mae (Keith) Stevenson.

She was a graduate of Dunbar High School where she was the first black cheerleader, and she would never let anyone forget that. At an early age, Joyce was baptized at the Union Baptist Church in Connellsville, where she became a life-long active member and served formally an usher and a vacation Bible school assistant.

Joyce married Donald French on February 1, 1962, in Leisenring, PA and together they raised four children. Joyce was employed for a time with Anchor Hocking Glass Factory, then Volkswagen Auto (retiring after 10 years); and after retirement she re-entered the workforce and worked at Nelson Bus Lines. Joyce enjoyed decorating for every holiday, home décor, and remodeling with J&J construction.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Edwin K. Stevenson; and great-granddaughter, Jhane Noel Bey.

She survived by her husband of 63 years, Donald French of Leisenring, PA; children: Sonya of Leisenring, PA, Dena Wesley and her husband, Maurice, of Lancaster PA, Natalie Wagner of Pittsburgh, PA, and her son, Derek French and his wife, Crystal of Leisenring, PA; brothers: Mack L. Stevenson and his wife, Phyllis of Pittsburgh, PA, Dale Stevenson and his wife, CeCe of New Mexico, and Darwin “Doby” Stevenson of Leisenring, PA; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Friends will be received at the United Baptist Church, 126 N. 1st St, Connellsville, PA on Friday, June 6th from 5 PM - 8 PM. The funeral service will be on Saturday, June 7th at 11 AM. Interement will immediately follow at Green Ridge Memorial, Connellsville, PA.

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