Joyce M. Leech

Joyce M. Leech, age 79 of Jacksonville was granted her angel wings on Friday, March 26, 2021. Joyce was born on March 6, 1942 in Jacksonville and spent her early childhood years in Baker County. Later in life she would return to Jacksonville. Joyce was the daughter of the late Marion and Carrie (Lauramore) Norton. In 1956, she met the love of her life, Wayne, at the McDuff Avenue Church of God. They were married on August 19, 1960. In their 60 years of marriage, she had the opportunity to live throughout the United States during Wayne’s Naval career. Joyce was known well for her cooking, baking, and gardening, as well as her infectious smile. She enjoyed family and delighted in celebrating special occasions with them. One of the highlights of her life was sending and receiving greeting cards. Her family was her heart and joy. She enjoyed spending time with her son, Don and his wife Barbara. Her granddaughter, Katelyn, was the apple of her eye, and Katelyn always enjoyed going to her granny and grandpa’s house. Joyce is flying high on God’s loving wings.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her oldest brother: Jimmie Norton.

She is survived by her husband of sixty years, Wayne Leech of Jacksonville; son: Dr. Don (Barbara) Leech of Jacksonville; granddaughter: Katelyn Cash of Jacksonville; sisters: Elizabeth (late Tommy) Taylor of Macclenny and Maxine (Jim) Tanner of Anderson, Indiana; brother: Richard (Janet) Norton of Kathleen, Georgia; sister-in-law: Joyce (Trevor) Darner of Valdosta, Georgia; as well as many other friends and relatives.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Forbes Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until the time of service in the chapel. Interment will follow at Macedonia Cemetery.

Hawke M.T. Forbes and H.M. “Hank” Forbes Jr. of Forbes Funeral Home are honored to assist the Leech family with the arrangements. “With Your Family In Mind”. (904) 259-4600. Please leave your condolences for the family in the online guestbook at www.forbesfuneralhome.net.