Joyce L. Oliver-Williams, 76, of Jacksonville, (native of Hastings), entered the sunset of life on Monday, July 29, 2024 at Community Hospice Morris Center for Caring, Jacksonville. The daughter of Willie McKinley Oliver, Sr. and Rose Lee King Williams, she was born on Saturday, January 10, 1948. She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. Joyce was a faithful member of Mt. Zion AME Church, Hastings. Joyce was a graduate of Walter E. Harris High School, Hastings. She played the clarinet in the marching band. As a Rattler fan, she chose to further her education at Florida A&M University. Joyce matriculated to Jacksonville, following her sister, Elaine. They were two peas in a pod. When you would see one of them, you would see both of them. She attended Edward Waters College (University), Jacksonville, earning a B.S. degree in Social Work and Early Childhood Education. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star (P.H.A), Daughters of Sphinx, Kalif Court.

Joyce worked over 30 years as an Early Childhood Education Supervisor with Head Start in Jacksonville. She was very dedicated to her job and loved her staff and children. Her and her staff served at the centers together, as if they were family. She never met a stranger. She would do anything she could to help people. If she had to give the shirt off her back, she would. That was the kind of person she was. She was always buying something for somebody. She kept a smile on her face at all times.

Joyce is known to be a sharp dresser. She loved cruising around the world, shopping until she dropped, taking care of family, and going to church. She loved her church. She was a faithful member of Mother Midway AME Church, Jacksonville. She served actively in the ministry until her health declined. She loved all of her family dearly. She was like a second mom to Deidra and Glaston.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in eternal rest by her husband, Joseph Gardner Williams, Sr.; daughter, Nicole Williams-McKenzie; bonus mother, Elizabeth Oliver; grandparents, John and Lucille Hensley, Rev. Willie and Harriette Oliver; grandson, Zion Williams; brothers, Keith Oliver, Willie McKinley Oliver, Jr.; sister, Phenie Elaine Hilliard (who transitioned on July 19, 2024).

Those left to cherish her memories: sons, Joseph (Diana) Williams, Jr.; Palatka; Minister Handy Williams, Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Joseph Gardner III, Glaston McKenzie, Jr., Zaire Williams, Zyneka Williams; 3 great grandchildren, Joseph Gardner Williams IV, Zekiah Williams, Zymir McKenzie; special niece and nephew, Deidra Hilliard, Michael Brown; siblings, Gracieta King Jackson, Greenville, SC; Sharon (Rev. Michael) McKay, Rev. Alvin (Phyllis) Oliver, both of Palatka; Rev. Tony (Denorris) Hall, Federal Point; Stevie (Tonya) Oliver, Eustis; Zenate (Cecil) Dennis, Gainesville; Zenas Oliver, Putnam Hall; 2 aunts, Harriet Freeman, Palatka; Gwendolyn (Joseph) Simmons, Baton Rouge, LA; uncle, Rev. Emmanuel (Pauline) Oliver, St. Augustine; special brother-in-law, Clifford Hilliard, Jacksonville; and a host of other relatives and friends.