It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Joan McElroy Osborne at the age of 94, on January 19th, 2026, while looking out her window, as she loved watching their cattle, turkeys and deer. She was the daughter of the late Lawson and Dare McElroy. She was the widow of the late Massie Osborne, the love of her life for 68 years. She was the last remaining McElroy sibling. Joan was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County.

She is survived by her son, Thomas Osborne and wife Sandy, of Clyde; daughter, Penny Robinson and husband Derrick, of Clyde; and six grandchildren, Danny Osborne and wife, Sarah, Taylor Osborne and fiancée Jake McKenzie, Makenzie Osborne and fiancée Sloan Mills, Spenser Peterson and husband Brad, Cameron Mattingly-Robinson and husband Donnie, and Madison Robinson and husband Avesh; and great-grandson Lochlan Peterson. She is also survived by extended family and friends who loved her dearly.

During her 68 years of marriage, she was an active member of Clyde First Baptist Church where she passionately studied the word of God every day of her life. Time spent with her husband on their farm was one of her greatest joys as they shared each day together managing the dairy farm and spending precious time together. Their unwavering love for each other, and for God, was always present each and every day.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday January 23rd at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Byron Burnette officiating.

Memorial may be made to Clyde First Baptist Preschool Fund or Gideons International – Haywood East Camp,

PO Box 1204 Canton, NC 28016

The care of Joan McElroy Osborne has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton and an online memorial register is available under Obituaries at www.wellsfuneralhome.com