Joyce Highsmith Jones

Joyce Highsmith Jones (99) passed away peacefully at her home on May 12, 2026.

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 18, 1927, Joyce was the oldest of Louise and Everett Highsmith’s six children. Two of her sisters survive, Shirley Turknett of Melbourne, Florida, and June Hough of Walla Walla, Washington.

Joyce married Harold Jones in 1945, and they had four children, all of whom survive her: Susan (Scott) Cooper of LaBelle, FL, Robert (Susie) Jones of High Point, NC, Mark (Gail) Jones of St. Augustine, FL, and Greg (Bonne) Jones of St. Augustine, FL. Joyce has eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Joyce was truly the matriarch of the Jones clan, always supportive and welcoming.

Joyce and Harold made their home in Mandarin, Florida, where they farmed and raised their children. After the farm operations moved to St. Johns County, they moved first to Summer Haven, Florida, then Elkton, Florida. After Harold’s passing in 1988, Joyce moved to St. Augustine.

In 2019, Joyce moved to LaBelle to live near her daughter Susan and her husband Scott. She loved visits from her extended family, riding her tricycle, and lying in her hammock to enjoy the outdoors.

Joyce was the bookkeeper for the family farm for many years. She also was an avid seamstress, able to sew anything from prom dresses to slipcovers. She loved word games and puzzles, especially Scrabble and Wordle.

When asked the secret for a long and purposeful life, Joyce attributed it to clean living, hard work, and determination. Those who knew her add that her optimism and dedication to her family made her a very special person. Her smile could light up a room.

Fun fact: When Joyce’s oldest grandchild (Nan Akin) was born to Susan and Scott, she got a passport and traveled to Ghana to meet Nan and help the new parents.

A private celebration of life will be held in St. Augustine later this summer.

Memorials may be sent to Hope Hospice https://hopehospice.org/donate/ (Hope Development Department, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908), or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, https://www.macular.org/want-to-help/donate (PO Box 515, Northampton MA 01061-0515.