Joyce Penn Jones

Joyce Penn Jones, 76, passed peacefully from this life on September 28, 2011 at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson following a brief illness. Funeral services will be 2 PM Sunday at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland with interment in Flora Cemetery. Visitation is 5-7 PM Saturday and 1 PM Sunday, all at the funeral home.

Joyce was born November 11, 1934 to Gordon Penn and Geneva Echols Penn. She grew up in Jackson, MS, graduating from Central High School in 1953 and the Gilfoy School of Nursing in 1956. She married Walter O. Jones in 1957 and began her career as a registered nurse at the Baptist Hospital in Jackson. Over the years she also worked with Dr. Perrin Berry, Hinds General Hospital, and Sta-Home Health Care.

Mrs. Jones enjoyed several pastimes including working in her flower gardens, reading, and watching Atlanta Braves baseball. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and preparing many fine holiday meals. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers, Tommy Lee Penn and Paul Penn.

She is survived by her husband, Walter O. Jones of Flora; daughters, Julie Villeret of Brandon, Paula Little (Steve) of Utica, Janice Hester of Brandon, and Tanya Gardner (Ed) of Brandon. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ken Villeret, Jon Villeret, Charlee Ann Sloan, Janna Hester, Connor Gardner, and Brandon Gardner; great-grandchildren, Alex Villeret, Avery Villeret, and Dillon Villeret; along with sisters-in-law, Margaret Woods (Robert) and Rita Penn.