Obituaries

Chesapeake- Joan Malone Lynch peacefully departed this life into eternal rest on Friday, May 17, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born December 28,1962 to the late Wilhelmenia “Polly” Satterfield and Willie Butler Jr. in Norfolk, VA and was raised by her grandparents, William and Geneva Malone Sr. and Willie and Mary Butler Sr. Joan was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church South Hill where she served as the Secretary for over 38 years.

Joan was an 1981 graduate of Indian River High School in Chesapeake, VA. Annually, she enjoyed celebrating with her Braves family alongside her high school sweetheart and partner of 44 years, Obie Lynch Jr. After graduating high school, Joan attended Norfolk State University (NSU), where she and Obie enjoyed attending football games and tailgating with their Spartan family. The fun did not stop there, the two also enjoyed cheering on their Washington Commanders each season and letting the “star” fans know who the real American team was.

After several years of battling Heart Disease, Joan retired from Cox Communications. BUT GOD was not through with her yet. She was blessed with a new heart on February 10, 2009, by one of the best heart transplant teams at the University of Virginia (UVA). For the past 15 years, Joan has celebrated 2 birthdays: December 28th and February 10th. While purple was Joan’s favorite color, you would frequently see her embellished in red attire and accessories to showcase her extended years of life!

Joan loved spending time with her family and enjoyed transforming homes with her keen eye for interior decoration. MeMe, as her grandson would call her, was the mastermind behind all school projects, homecoming campaigns and graduation signs throughout his grade school tenure. Whether it was an intricate fruit display, a blank canvas turned into a ballroom full of glamorous décor or a beautiful scrapbook display of one’s priceless moments from a box full of pictures, Joan’s creative mind was limitless.

Joan was a charter member of Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated (TLOD), Hampton Roads Chapter, formed in 2004. She served in an array of positions including 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Parliamentarian, and Area II Recording Secretary. She enjoyed giving back to the community and collaboratively worked with several organizations including National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)/United Negro College Fund (UNCF), American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. She also chaired the fundraising committee for several years, producing scholarships for Top Teens of America, who are sponsored by TLOD. Joan was well known for her creativity and was the Chapter’s designated flyer maker, event decorator and scrapbook creator, where she has won numerous 1st place recognitions at the TLOD Area and National level. Joan has been recognized as Top Lady of the Year and was recognized for her outstanding community service by The Hampton Roads Gazette, honored as one of their 2016 Exemplar Awardees.

Joan was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, William and Geneva Malone Sr.; paternal grandparents, Willie and Mary Butler Sr.; mother and stepfather, Elbert and Wilhelmenia Satterfield Sr.; father, Willie Butler Jr.; sister, Natalie Butler; brothers: Michael Malone, Mark Bundle and Elbert Satterfield Jr.; and uncles, Frederick Butler and Raphael Malone Sr.

Leaving to cherish her loving memories, her beautiful smile, and her infectious personality, her husband of 34 years, Obie Lynch Jr.; daughter Nakima “Nikki” Lynch; son Obie Nieko Lynch; grandson Nickolas “Nick” Nixon, all of Chesapeake, VA; sister Lisa Hurdle (Christopher) of Jacksonville, NC; aunts Shelia Vines (Albert) of Norfolk, VA, Joanne Copeland (Willie) of Hampton, VA, Linda Wilson, Pamela Fletcher, and Michelle Campbell, of Chesapeake, VA; uncles Powell “Gene” Butler (Chardene) and William Malone Jr., of Chesapeake, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and in-laws who accepted Joan as another one of their sisters.

A Homegoing Celebration will be 11:00am Wednesday; May 29, 2024 at First Baptist Church South Hill; 3633 Galberry Rd; Chesapeake, VA 23323. Visitation will be 5-7pm Tuesday; May 28, 2024 at the church. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park. Please keep the family in your prayers.