Joyce Jones Stanley

Joyce Jones Stanley, 88, of Seminole, Florida, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on October 13, 2026 at The Vineyard Inn, surrounded by her daughter, Laura, granddaughter, Sheri Lynn Shelton and the loving staff at the Vineyard Inn.

Joyce was born on May 14, 1938 in Screven, Ga., to Frank Jones and Ocilla (Thornton) Jones. She was the second oldest of nine children and helped raise her younger siblings while working the cotton fields on a farm in Wayne County, Georgia.

She married Albert Forthe on July 25, 1958 in Waycross, Ga. They were married for 25 years and together they raised 3 children. She moved to Melbourne, Fl in the late 80’s where she met and married Cecil Stanley. They were married for 20 years before he passed in 2007.

Joyce was a devoted Christian who loved God and from an early childhood she possessed an unwavering faith in Jesus and His promise of eternal life. She didn’t believe in coincidences - everything was orchestrated by God. Those who knew her will remember that whenever something wonderful happened by chance, she would smile and say, “God had a hand in it.”

She was very creative - from painting many paintings over the years to how she decorated her home. She was known by everyone as a kind, sweet lady, aways willing to share her wisdom on various subjects. ;) What all who knew her will remember most - is her smile. It could light up any room. And she never failed to thank the people who cared for her, right up to the end.

Our family is deeply grateful to the staff at The Vineyard Inn, especially her nurses, who cared for Joyce with such kindness for the two years she lived there. They loved her like family. A special thank you to Marie, Eleanor, Alicia, Brandon, and Sandy, who were there for Joyce and the family in her final days. A special note of gratitude to the care team at Suncoast Hospice for their compassionate care of Joyce and her family in her final days.

She is survived by 3 children, Laura Locknane, (Bush) of Clearwater, FL, Brenda Conlon, (Thomas) of St. Augustine, FL, and Gerald Forthe of Largo, FL; 5 grandchildren, Sheri, Megan, Sarah, Ryan and Erin; 11 great grandchildren; and 7 siblings, Dorothy Stockdale, June Allen, Ann Garland, Freddie Jones (Susan), Faye Duerk (James), Gary Jones (Lynn), and Sherre Stephens.

A private funeral with family will take place at Serenity Gardens in Largo FL, and internment immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Suncoast Hospice at: https://suncoasthospicefoundation.org/donations2/