Joanna Margaret Austin Pauley (89) of South Charleston, WV, passed away peacefully at Harmony at Southridge on January 19, 2024.  She was the daughter of Emory H. Austin and Catherine Coalter Austin.  She grew up in Saint Albans, WV, and was raised in the Coalter family home with her beloved aunts and uncles, grandparents, Charles and Margaret Coalter, as well as her mother.  Her great aunt and great uncle, Irene and Samuel Nurnberger, were also an influential part of her childhood.

Upon graduation from Saint Albans High School in 1952, Jody attended Asbury College in Wilmore, KY, where she made many lifelong friends.  She also attended Mississippi College in Jackson, MS.  She later attended Morris Harvey College, where she met the love of her life, David Pauley.  They were happily married for 52 years, until David’s death in 2009.  While living in Gallipolis, OH, their children, Teresa Ann and J.D. (James David, Jr.) were born.  In 1965, they returned to West Virginia, where they lived out the rest of their lives.

Jody was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, David. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Teresa (Rob) Matheny and J.D. (Becky) Pauley, Jr.; grandchild and spouse, her beloved grandson Christopher (Moe) Matheny, step-grandchildren and spouse: Cory Fagan and Stephanie (Steve) Johnston; 4 great grandchildren, many cousins, and dear friend, Diana Jones.

Jody was a woman who loved children, never seeing anything but good in them.  As Christian Education Director at South Charleston First United Methodist Church for many years, she was able to fulfill that love for children by involving them in Sunday School and church, Wednesday evening kids club, and other various church activities.  Jody was a long-time member of South Charleston First United Methodist Church, was a member of the Anna King Circle, and was honored with a Life Membership pin in recognition of her work in United Methodist Women.  She was also a Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 283, in Gallipolis, OH.  Jody loved traveling with friends and family, and especially loved the time spent with her family at the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

A service to Honor the Life of Jody will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston, with Rev. Paula Napier officiating. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park in South Charleston.

Jody loved flowers and you are welcome to send them if you wish.  As an alternative, you may send donations in her memory to Kanawha Hospice Care 1606 Kanawha Blvd W. Charleston, WV 25387 (https://www.hospicecarewv.org/make-a-donation/) or Alzheimer’s Association 1601 2^nd Ave. Charleston, WV  25387(https://www.alz.org/wv).

Memories of Jody may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.