Joyce Lynn Okubo, 61, passed peacefully with her family by her side on June 21st, 2023, at Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown, from complications of her courageous three-year battle with cancer.
She was born on June 15, 1962, in Uniontown, Pa., to Harry Sutton and the late Sandra Kissinger Sutton.
Joyce graduated from Fairchance Georges High School, class of 1980.
While working her way through school at West Liberty University, she graduated with a degree in dental hygiene in 1988. She then went on to West Virginia University to receive her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene in 1995.
She met the love of her life, Scott R. Okubo, while working at WVU in 1984. They were married on June 18, 1988. They had the opportunity to practice in Charleston, Cincinnati, and Chicago before settling in West Virginia, where they opened their dental practice. They loved working alongside each other as dentist and hygienist in Bruceton Mills for 25 years.
Joyce is survived and missed by her loving husband of 35 years, Scott R. Okubo; her three children, Katie Okubo and her husband, Alex Giuliani; Bryan Okubo and his wife Emily Okubo and their daughter, Esme, who was Joyce’s first grandchild; Morgan Okubo Surface and her husband, Parker Surface; her father, Harry Sutton; twin sister Janice (Jay) Schifano and her family; and brother, Raymond (Racquel) Sutton and his family.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Sandra Kissinger Sutton.
Joyce’s smile lit up every room she entered. She spread happiness everywhere she went, loved unconditionally and cared fully. She was always proud of her children, nieces, nephews and family members. She loved going to the beach, spending time with her family and cheering on the Mountaineers!
Joyce’s family will celebrate her life with a ceremony and a scattering of her ashes on Sunday, July 16, at 8 a.m. in Ocean City, Md., at the 12th Street beach at the rocks. This was a place where Joyce and her family loved. All are welcome to attend.
Special thanks to Dering-Henson Funeral and Cremation Services, the staff at Bruceton Family Medical and Mon Health Medical Center, Alysia Funk APRN, Dr. Qazi, Dr. McClellan, Dr. Tallman, and all who kept her in their thoughts.
Caring services are being provided by Dering–Henson Funeral Home.
