Joseph Haynes Monk

Joseph Haynes Monk, age 81, passed away on December 4th, 2024, after emergency surgery. 

He is survived by Suny, his wife of 55 years, his daughters Chatham and Mavora and their husbands Justin Rice and Vince Donoghue, his grandchildren Wilkes and Holcomb Rice and Claire and Elizabeth Donoghue, as well as a large family and many friends. 

Joe was born in Beckley, West Virginia and lived in Richmond, St. Stephens Church, and Amherst, Virginia. Joe began his professional career as the resident artist at the Virginia Museum and, for many years, taught ceramics and sculpture at Sweet Briar College in Amherst, Virginia.

He was a man of quiet grace and invention with a lively creative spirit. A gifted craftsman, he possessed the vision to see beauty in every object and space, and harnessed his talents to execute his vision. He was an avid maker, artist, craftsman, builder and engineer, always teaching, reading, or working. An avid collector, he generously lent imagination, skilled guidance, and materials to those around him who wanted to build and create. 

Joe was raised in a close-knit extended family and he loved being surrounded by its warmth. Joe and Suny fostered the same qualities in their home by building a supportive atmosphere of caring and kindness which was Joe’s trademark. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to Virginia Center for the Creative Arts* whose mission is to foster the work of the world’s finest artists as they build our shared cultural heritage. 

Memorial celebrations will be planned at a later date.

*Donations can be mailed to: VCCA, 194 San Angelo Drive, Amherst VA 24521.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Madison Heights, is assisting the family.