Joyce Virginia Harris, 81 of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully Friday, August 23, 2019 surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Shamrock, Fla. to the late Wesley and Juanita Hurst Petty and grew up in Cross City, Fla. As a teenager, she travelled to Fernandina Beach and met the love of her life, Earl F. Harris, on a blind date. After they married and because of his service in the U.S. Army, they travelled the world together, which was the catalyst for her love of travel later in life.
Joyce had an adventurous, unquenchable zest for life, and though that life would sometimes throw trials and tribulations in her path, she always maintained a sense of strength, setting the highest example for all who knew her. On her many journeys throughout the world, Joyce would often take her whole family with her. Most recently, she went zip-lining in the Dominican Republic at the request of her great-granddaughter, Brilee.
Joyce enjoyed going out to eat, cruising, and playing with her great-grandchildren. Her family and friends meant the world to her, and she will be sorely missed.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl F. Harris; an infant son, Earl Wesley Harris; a daughter, Terry Hatton; and a granddaughter, Mindy Harris.
She leaves behind her son, Foster Harris and his wife, Gail, of Fernandina Beach; daughter, Ginger Andrews and her husband, Walter, of Fernandina Beach; brothers, Dwayne Petty and Dwight (Wanette) Petty, both of Cross City; sisters, Wanda Petty and Gail Petty, both of Cross City; grandchildren, Tara, Eric, Tiffanie, Thomas, Michael, and Nickie; great-grandchildren, Bret Griffen, Morghan, Athan, Joshua, Matthew, “Tag,” River, Brilee, Presley, and Evan; and one great-great-grandchild on the way.
Funeral Services were held at 3 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2019 at Spring Hill Baptist Church with Chaplain Jackie Hayes officiating. The family received friends from 2 p.m. until the hour of service at the church. She was laid to rest in Wilder Cemetery. Pallbearers were Eric Hatton, Thomas Hatton, Michael Harris, Bret Griffin, Joshua Coyle, Matthew Johnson, and “Tag” Garcia. Musicians were Pat Davis and Charlene Price.
The family requests that memorials be made in Joyce’s name to the American Heart Association at heart.org or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at stjude.org.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors