Joyce Lee Brookins

Joyce Lee Brookins, 94, of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away at Haven Hospice on Monday, April 10^th after a brief illness. She was born to William and Alice Lee in Cairo, Georgia on November 30, 1928. Early on, she had thought of pursuing a career as a nurse, but she chose to marry the love of her life, E. Harold Brookins, her husband of 57 years. Together they would partner in parenthood, their nursery business, and church community. She lived a long full life, touching many people throughout her years.

After their marriage she joined her husband in Gainesville, Florida, where he earned his degree at the University of Florida. They relocated to Jacksonville after graduation, following their dream of building their own business they named, “Brookins Nursery.”   She worked hard beside him while raising their three surviving children. It became successful as a well-known and respected family business they could both be proud of.

Joyce and Harold were founding members of Southside Estates Baptist Church where she led the Sunday School Department for many years. It was here they established a lifelong group of friendships they later named “The River Gang.”  It gained its name when they all gathered regularly at their home they built on the St. John’s River. This went on for decades.

In eventually relocating to the St. John’s River property, they became active members of their local church, Mill Creek Baptist. They developed closer relationships there, and the church was a major part of their lives through both their last years.

Anyone who knew Joyce knew she was serious about her Thank You cards. She never missed sending them for the smallest reason. In fact, she sent out cards for every occasion. She also spent her time creating handcrafted items, ornaments, ceramics, and more to give away as gifts to shut-ins, friends, and family. She never made just one of anything, she made piles of them! She especially loved angels and cherubs. After she bought her own ceramic kiln, there were few of her acquaintances who did not come to own at least one -or more.

One of the most important things to her she did faithfully as long as her family can remember, was reach out to “shut ins.” All year long she wrote notes and letters, and/or visited them, bringing them handcrafted gifts or books to share. She even visited one special homebound friend the week before she started Hospice.

Her family has peace she has now joyfully rejoined those who preceded her in death: her beloved husband, Emris Harold Brookins; their newborn first child, Martha Brookins; son, Bret Nolan Brookins; sister and brother-in-law Marjorie and Russell Chandler.

Survivors who will continue her heritage include Children: son, Lee Brookins (Pat) Jacksonville; daughter, Brenda Adair (Jacksonville), Grandchildren: Robin Powers (Keith), Wendy Martin (Laura Hackett), Jeremy Brookins, Anna Farr (Jason). Kristen Remeika (Mike). Great - Grandchildren: Garrett Powers, Jennie Powers (Josh Trevino), Taylor Cullen, Lilia and Willow Brookins, Noah English, Charlotte Farr, Ryden Remeika, Koren Nodine

Great – Great Grandson: Walker Trevino

The family welcomes you to join them April 20^th, 2023, for Visitation at 10:00am, followed by the Service at 11:00am, at Mill Creek Baptist Church, 6019-A FL-16. St. Augustine. FL 32092.

Graveside at 1:30pm, Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville FL, 32207        

Pastor Don Ramsey, Pastor David Beecher, and Pastor Lee Brookins will be officiating.