Joyce G. Shoemaker Jones

Joyce G. (Shoemaker) Jones died March 2, 2014 surrounded by her family at Parkway Village, Little Rock, Arkansas after a sudden illness.

Joyce was born in Akron, Ohio on February 1, 1931 to William and Ethel Shoemaker. She, her brother, and their sister were raised in Akron. Her parents’ decision to move to Wooster, Ohio and open a successful restaurant led to an introduction that changed her life. There, she met John P. Jones, a returning World War II army veteran, who frequented the restaurant.

Joyce and John were married on May 7, 1950, the start of their 64 year adventure together. During the early years of their marriage, they moved from Ohio to Nebraska, to Mississippi, and finally Fayetteville, Arkansas. They had three children, Karen, Stephen, and Lynn. Joyce instilled in her children a love of nature and adventure. She worked with John to provide wide-ranging experiences for the family, with travel to national and state parks, rivers, and camping. A perfect day would be a family canoe trip down the Buffalo or Eleven Point Rivers, with sightings of wildlife and birds, a brisk swim, a family meal of favorite dishes, and rousing rounds of setting off fireworks.

As their children grew to adulthood, she encouraged John to accept invitations to work with USAID in both Egypt and Morocco. Their seven years in these countries provided many opportunities for extensive worldwide travel for the entire family.

Joyce will be buried with her husband John in a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in New Concord, Ohio. The family requests friends and loved ones think of Joyce when seeing a beautiful bird, a breathtaking fireworks display, or an awe inspiring natural vista.

The Farus Funeral Home of New Concord is caring for the Jones family.

www.farusfh.com

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