Doreene Isilma Headley

Doreene Isilma Headley, affectionately known as Joyce, was born in Cedar Valley, St. Thomas, Jamaica. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at her home in Fort Lauderdale, FL surrounded by her loving family.

Doreene was the 5th child of 14 children born to Malcom and Berdiana Ford on November 9, 1944. She attended Cedar Valley All Age School. She married Winston R. Headley on March 31, 1979, in Brooklyn, NY. She worked in the Maintenance Department at The World Trade Center for over 30 years until the unfortunate incident of 911. Doreene was also a restaurant owner for many years.

In her early 20s she moved from St. Thomas to Kingston Jamaica. She started her entrepreneurship journey early in East Kingston working as a domestic worker and then opened her first restaurant. She made a myriad of friends in Kingston Jamaica and many of those relationships continued in the United States up until her death.

Doreene migrated to Brooklyn, NY in the early 1970s. After migrating to the United States, she was reunited with her dear cousin Mavis. This relationship with Mavis grew even stronger as the years progressed. Then her younger sister Daliah came along and the three became the original Supremes. After a few years she was joined by her mother, brothers and sisters.

In November 1981, after many years of working hard and sacrifice she was able to be reunited with her 5 children in the United States. In 1983 she and her husband welcomed their son, her 6th child Daniel W. Headley.

As a restaurant owner it was not just about profit, she also extended her services to feeding the homeless daily along with her Annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for those in need. In addition, she also provided the necessities for those in dire need daily. The 4th of July, Labor Day and her annual bus rides were her key points in her community outreach. Joyce was lovingly known as the Mayor of Church Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The community knew that they could count on her if they needed advice or help solving a problem.

In 2002 she made the decision to retire in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Due to her zest for life, she continued to keep active by assisting her daughter in her restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Once she slowed down, she became Nana to many children and Mamma Joyce to their parents.

She developed new and close friendships with many of the women she mentored at her beloved church New Life Fellowship Center, during her 20 plus years at her church she had a close relationship with her beloved Bishop Ruddock and his family.

She was deeply involved in New Life Fellowship Center, she was one of the mothers of the Church, (affectionally known as Mother Headley), Ladies Ministry Member and Choir member. She received many honors from her beloved church over the years.

In 2017 her sister Daliah Ford Doeman retired and moved to Fort Lauderdale. After living in Florida for many years it was a joy to have Lucy and Ethel back together again. It was no coincidence that when it came time to purchase a residence Doreene played real estate agent and her sister was able to acquire a home only 4 houses away. It was even more of a blessing during her diagnosis to have her sister so close, who was instrumental in caring for her during her illness.

Our mother was never one to complain she worked hard and gave all she had. As her children we planned so many things but never losing her. It was so quick and so fierce. We did all that we could to hold on to her, but the Lord was ready for her. Mom knew it was near, and she always said to us, “Don’t worry about me, I am at Peace with God.”. All her pain has ceased; she is now home resting in the arms of our heavenly father.

Doreene is preceded in death by her parents Malcom and Berdiana Ford and 6 siblings.

Doreene has left to mourn her husband, Winston Headley.

Children: Byron Shepheard and wife Cheron Shepheard, Lennox Gordon and wife Jannette Gordon, Jacquline Gordon-Shirley and husband Wesley Shirley, Jeniel Gordon, Carla Callendar Myers and Daniel Headley.

Siblings Hortense Richards, Clifton Ford, Daliah Ford Doeman, Lorna Ford Brown, Vanessa Crosdale and her husband Swethrie Crosdale, Annette Ford-Amaye-Obu and husband Fons Amaye-Obu and Evette Ford Thompson.

Grandchildren: Sofia Farquharson, Latasha Green, Tevon Cole, Crystal Shirley, Tantania Alexander, Patrice Green and Samantha Gordon and Great-Grandchildren, Aiden Faruharson and Bevon Banton, Jr. Extensive Nieces and Nephews, Cousins, Great Neices and Nephews and a host of close friends.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held: Viewing on Friday, January 2, 2026, at New Life Fellowship Center, 8720 NW 44th Street, Sunrise, FL 33351 4PM – 8PM. Home Going Celebration, Saturday, January 3, 2026, 10 AM- 12PM at New Life Fellowship Center 8720 NW 44th Street, Sunrise, FL 33351 Arrangements are by Fred Hunter Funeral Home, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024.

The family of Doreene Headley wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Shahrad Mabourakh, Hospice Nurse Iclese, CNA Norma, VITAS Hospice Services, New Life Fellowship Center. Bishop Clinton Rudduck and Reverend Annmarie Rudduck.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to New Life Fellowship Center in honor of Mother Doreene I. Headley.