Josephine Khalil Yacoub

Josephine Yacoub, daughter of Mr. Khalil Yacoub Farag and Mrs. Shahda Maawad Youssef, went home to be with her Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 26th, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida at 5:20 am Eastern time. Josephine was 92. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her five children: Amir Guirguis, Marline Elzik (Dr.Ekram Elzik), Marc Guirguis (Hala Guirguis), Miranda Guirguis-Chitwood (Steve Chitwood), and Moushira Shehata (Boshra Shehata). Also missed and adored by her eight grandchildren: Michelle, Anthony and Audrey Guirguis, Dr.Mark Elzik, Andrew Shehata (Sarah Shehata) and Joseph Shehata (Kristin Shehata), Dr. Maria Adams (Dr. Hugh Adams III), and Gina Cyphers (Christian Cyphers) and four great-grandchildren: Noah and Amira Cyphers, and Hugh William Adams IV, and Beau Shehata. Preceded in death are her following siblings: Wadie (Isis) Yacoub, Wadiea (Ayad) Hennedy, Marie (Ibrahim) Hennedy, Elaine (Habib) Morcos, Rogeana (Tawfik) Ibrahim. She is survived by two siblings: Dr. Makeen Yacoub (preceded in death his wife Dr. Mavis Yacoub), and Dr. Nazieh (Yvonne) Yacoub. Josephine was better known as, and nicknamed Amira. She was born and raised in Egypt, and married to the love of her life, the deceased Dr. Morcos Guirguis, who passed away when all 5 of their children were very young. Determined to give her children a better life and a hope of a future, Amira left everything behind in her native country and brought all children to the USA in December of 1974. Widowed at the age of 45 yrs, with little resources but with much inner strength and determination, the grace of God and her leaning on her faith, she managed to raise her young family alone in her new homeland. Her sacrificial love for her children, relentless love for life, along with her unselfish and generous spirit will always be exemplified and admired by many. She was a pillar in her hometown church "St. Mary and St. Abraam Coptic church" when she lived in St. Louis, Missouri. Many of the church members considered Josephine a spiritual mom, thus honoring her with many titles such as "Mom", "Taunt" (aunt), and "Haagga" (highest priestess). She truly earned the titles with her unwavering hard work in volunteering at her church. She consistently and passionately served as the "Korban" (Holy Bread) maker with honor, a position granted only to those whom are prayer warriors and possessing a pure heart.

In closing, the family of Josephine Yacoub would like to thank all family members and friends for their prayers, love and support during these difficult times and we leave you with this word from the Book of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 2:00pm at Saint Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church, 100 Bernard Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32218. Interment to follow at Riverside Memorial Park.

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL PARK and FUNERAL HOME, 7242 Normandy Boulevard is serving the family.