Joyce Lamon (Shepherd) Sharpe, age 80, went to help her Lord on October 24, 2022. Her work on earth is complete. Joy was born in Jacksonville, Fla on December 27, 1941. She attended Englewood High school (59) where she was head cheerleader. She was also on the homecoming court and voted most athletic. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Jacksonville University (63).Joy was a lifelong educator and began her teaching career at Wacona Elementary in Waycross, Ga and finished her career at Princeton Center school in Princeton, Ma. Along the way she also taught at Wolfson, Englewood and Fletcher Jr High schools in Jacksonville, as well as JJ Daniel Middle in Marietta, Ga.Joybug was a jack-of-all-trades. Not only could she teach, sing, and play the piano, but she could also pour a concrete slab during the day and cook a wonderful meal that evening. Joy had many interests. She loved to travel and see the world, watch the Gators play football, and visit friends, but she could never wait to get back home; home was her domain. The house was always decorated for the season. Her love was to be outdoors tending to her garden of plants and flowers and working on the many projects she always had in progress. Joy's yard is full of small gardens and trees planted in memory of friends. She loved all animals but not the deer that ate her plants.But family is what guided her life. When her first grandchild was born, despite her young age, she nevertheless became "Granny Joy". Joy's love and devotion to family and friends is rooted in her loving parents, Bennie and Geneva Shepherd. Even though it went unsaid, Joy was recognized in life by her family as the leader, the matriarch, the moral compass of the Sharpe family.She was preceded in death by her parents, Bennie and Geneva Shepherd.She is survived by her husband, Tom, of 60 years, her two sons, Bill (Beverly) Sharpe and Greg (Paige) Sharpe, her brother, Ronald "Ron" Shepherd, as well as five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Most important is Joys legacy; her legacy will endure to guide others in their lives.The family will receive friends on Friday, Nov 4, from 5pm-7pm, at George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd S, Jacksonville, Fla.A memorial service "Joys Day" will be held on Nov 5 at the same address from 2pm-3pm. Interment will follow at the conclusion of the service at Greenlawn Cemetery, followed by a reception for all friends and family.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Joys favorite charity:Welcome Home Ministries https://www.welcomehomemin.org/.