Joyce Marie (Washington) Jackson

          Beyond The Empty Chair            

   Look beyond the empty chair    
To know a life well spent
Look beyond the solitude
To days of true content
Cherish in your broken heart
Each moment gladly shared
And feel the touch of memory
Beyond the empty chair

On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, God called our beloved Joyce Marie Washington Jackson to eternal rest. Her life began on January 21, 1950, as the daughter of the late George N. Washington, Sr. and Maude Lee Allen Washington, of New Kent County, Virginia.

Joyce attended the New Kent Public Schools graduating with the class of 1968 from George W. Watkins High School in Quinton, VA.

At an early age, she confessed Christ as her personal Savior and joined Second Elam Baptist Church in New Kent.  After moving to Williamsburg, VA, she joined St. John Baptist Church where she held the positions of Auditor, Trustee, Treasurer, Asst. Secretary of the Singles Ministry, and a member of the Women’s Fellowship Ministry. She remained a faithful member until her passing.

Joyce retired from the College of William and Mary in 2009 after twenty-five years of service in the Payroll Dept. After retiring, she continued her own successful business as a Tax Preparer and Notary Public.

Joyce was a loving, quiet, and kind person. She was truly devoted to the welfare and happiness of her family. To know her was to love her, and her family and friends will greatly miss her.  We will not mourn her passing because we know that God’s will has been done.  She is now resting in the arms of Jesus, where she will find everlasting peace.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James I Jackson; godparents (who raised her) James W. and Gladys O. Saunders; siblings, Ricky Washington and George Washington Jr.; and god sister, Catherine Saunders.

Her blessed memories will forever live on with her siblings, Alice D. Morris, Alphonso Washington, Ronald Washington (Linda), Lorenzo Washington (Sherry), and Kevin Washington; godniece,  Coffee Arlene Worelds; great-god niece, Cathalene Worelds; great-god nephew, Desmond Worelds; great-great-god nephew, De’Mari Worelds; loving stepchildren, Anthony Jackson (Aleeshea), Toni Alford (Earthell), Cherquita Marrow (Carlos), Jamie Morrow, James Marrow, Rashidah Marrow; step-grandchildren; her friends, James "Jim" Mitchell and Kenneth and Barbara Haywood (who was present with her until the end of her journey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives, and many caring friends.

A service to celebrate Joyce's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at St.John Baptist Church-Williamsburg. Interment to follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Jackson may be viewed beginning at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday in the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request those who wish to express sympathy in memory of Joyce, make a donation to St. John Baptist Church Capital Campaign for the Building Fund, 1397 Penniman Road Williamsburg, VA 23185. Please make checks payable to St. John Baptist Church and notate “Capital Campaign” or use Givelify (Payment App) on the church webpage: williamsburgsjbc.org

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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