Joyce Jones Hoskie

Joyce Lee Jones was born on January 4, 1948 in Portsmouth, Virginia, to the late Harry Lee Jones and Genevieve Jones. Her childhood was typical for her time, growing up on Manley Street, nurtured by loving parents, a devoted grandmother and a doting Aunt Audrey. She graduated from I.C. Norcom High School and attended Hampton University, formerly Hampton Institute. Head over heels in love, she later transferred to Norfolk State University to be with her high school sweetheart, James Richard Hoskie, whom she soon married. Joyce earned a BA Degree in Education and began her life as an educator, wife, and mother of two children, Richard and Michelle. Joyce was an exceptional teacher who was repeatedly recognized for her work. After 36 years of devoted service, she retired from Portsmouth Public Schools in 2007. She was a unique individual with a variety of talents including cooking, sewing, flower arranging and decorating. Joyce had an entrepreneurial spirit that led her to sell anything from tee shirts to stuffed animals from the truck or on the side of the road. She had a thousand ideas and she was willing to discuss them with anyone who shared her enthusiasm. She was successful as “Sweetie the Clown” entertaining and painting little faces at children's parties. Her energy was boundless and her love for people was infectious. Joyce brought that same energy to Third Baptist. She worked on various committees and projects including the after-school tutorial program, focusing on students who were having difficulty with math, Seeing a need to engage more youth, Joyce created the church's first Praise Dance Team. She scheduled practices, designed and sewed the dance attire, provided transportation, and set up workshops with neighboring churches. Liturgical dance was just coming into vogue and Joyce saw to it that Third Baptist was included in the trend. In March 2011, a debilitating illness interrupted the life style of Joyce Jones Hoskie, but did little to destroy her spirit. From her bed, she was still interested in the welfare of her family and friends. She thoroughly enjoyed having visitors whom she questioned about everything from the weather to the latest gossip. Her beloved Richard unselfishly cared for her night and day until he suddenly passed away in 2015. Left to cherish her memory are her loving mother, Mrs. Genevieve Jones; an attentive daughter and caregiver, Michelle, a loving son, Richard; three siblings: Joseph Edgerton, Harold Jones and Kimberly Jones; three grandchildren, Alexia Moore, Jaman Hoskie, and India Hoskie; one great-grandchild, Aaleigha Moore, cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

Joyce Jones Hoskie

January 4, 1948 - June 4, 2017