Joyce Highsmith Roberts

Joyce Highsmith Roberts, 90, a former Jacksonville resident, went home to be with her Lord on June 5, 2017. She was born on April 22, 1927 to Olie and Mildred Townsend Highsmith in Tampa, Florida. She was predeceased by her parents, four brothers and her sister.

Joyce grew up in Tampa and graduated from Hillsborough High School. After her graduation in 1944, she traveled to California where she met her future husband, Ralph Roberts of Jacksonville, Florida who was stationed in the navy.

In 1947 they married and moved to Gainesville, Florida, where her husband attended law school at the University of Florida. Upon his graduation, the couple moved to Jacksonville where he established his law practice and she raised their family.

Joyce loved volunteer work. She joined the Baptist Hospital Auxiliary in Jacksonville and became their president in 1962. Later in 1967, she started her career as their Director of Volunteers. Her career spanned 26 years. She loved the women and men who made the auxiliary such a rewarding job and experience. She was a member of Southside Assembly of God in Jacksonville for many years.

In 2004, she decided to move to South Carolina. She was a member of Five Forks Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC. Her life, to all who knew her has been a testament to God’s goodness. Her faith in Christ has never wavered and that is her legacy to her family.

Joyce is survived by her 5 children: Pam Turrill (Dick), Dede Duke (Bill), Rocky Roberts (Debbie), Bill Roberts, April Scanio (Greg), and her 9 grandchildren; Billy Roberts (Sonya), Richard Turrill (Rachel), George Duke (Laura), April Sheltz (Matt), Joy Howard (Hunter), Diana Roberts, Allison Brazis (Eric), Chase Roberts and Anna Roberts, and 10 great-grandchildren.

After a private burial, a celebration of Joyce’s life will be held at San Jose Baptist Church, 6140 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida on Friday, June 16th at 12:00 pm.

Her family would like to thank the Howard family and staff of the The Springs in Simpsonville, SC, Angels Among Us and Pathway Hospice of Greenville, SC and Heritage Funeral Home in Simpsonville, SC for their heartfelt care given to their beloved mother.