Martha Joyce (Underwood) Barnett

Martha Joyce Barnett, 84, of Monmouth, IL passed away at 8:37 am, Monday, March 28, 2022 at her home.

Joyce was born November 3, 1937 in Monmouth, IL the daughter of Howard Walter and Mildred M. (Fair) Underwood.  She was raised and educated in the Berwick area and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1955. She later graduated from Monmouth College in 1959 where she was a member and served as President of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.

Joyce married Gary L. Barnett on September 5, 1959 in Monmouth, IL and he passed away on April 22, 2016.

Joyce was a teacher at Churchill Jr. High School in Galesburg, IL.  She was a librarian at Ridgewood Elementary School and later was the Title 1 Reading Specialist at Glenview Jr. High School both in East Moline, IL.  She also worked as the activies director at Aspenwood Healthcare in Silvis, IL. Her involvement volunteering at her children’s school earned her a lifetime membership of the PTA.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Monmouth. Joyce crocheted hundreds of shawls and lap robes for area nursing homes and stocking caps for the Jamieson Center Christmas program. Her greatest joy and life focus was being with and around her grandchildren.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Steve) McVey of Monmouth, Il; her son, Doug (Cindy) Barnett of Port Byron, IL; 4 grandchildren, Matt (Kaitlin) McVey, Hannah McVey, Erin (Brodie) Welker and Jack Barnett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, William H. Underwood.

Graveside services will be 11:00 am, Friday, April 1, 2022 at Silent Home Cemetery, Cameron, IL. Memorials may be given to Western Illinois Animal Rescue (WIAR) or the First United Methodist Church of Monmouth and sent to the funeral home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth is in charge of the arrangements.