Joy Marie Petersen

Joy Marie Petersen, age 76 of Starke, passed away peacefully in the evening hours of Monday, March 4th, 2024 at the Haven Hospice Custead Care Center. A native of High Point, North Carolina, Joy was the daughter of Mr. Roy and Frances (Lowry) Allred, born on February 11th, 1948. Later in life, Joy would relocate to the north Florida and eventually settle in Bradford County. She was a school bus driver for the Bradford County School District for over thirty five years and was dedicated to her student. On one occasion, she even saved a choking student’s life. Joy was also a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints in Starke.

In her spare time, she loved to do crafts and sew. She was a loving mother and grandmother, often sending care packages and cards to her grandchildren that meant so much to her. She was also a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and was blessed to be able to see “her Cubbies” win the World Series in 2016.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her loving children, Laurie (Ricky) Beck of Orchard Park, New York, and Kenny Petersen and Matt Petersen both of Starke; grandchildren: Bailee, Annika, and Julia Beck; and sisters: Jeannie Hodge of Ocklawaha and Susan (Ron) Stewart of Jacksonville.

A graveside service to honor Joy’s life will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Crosby Lake Cemetery, Starke. The family will receive friends at 10:30 at Crosby Lake.  A reception will be held at 12:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1305 Raiford Road, Starke, Florida 32091.

Hawke M.T. Forbes and H.M. “Hank” Forbes, Jr. of Forbes Funeral Home are honored to serve the family in their time of loss. 409 West Macclenny Avenue, Macclenny, Florida, 32063 “With Your Family In Mind”. (904) 259-4600 . Please leave your condolences for the family in the online guestbook at www.forbesfuneralhome.net.