Martha “Joyce” Braswell Shave, also lovingly known as “Mimi”, passed away on September 20, 2024, in her home, surrounded by family and friends.

Born on January 26, 1941, in Atlanta, Georgia, to the late James Taylor Braswell and Myrtice Evelyn Jackson Braswell. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and Park Forest, Illinois. She graduated from North Fulton High School in 1959. She attended the University of Georgia, where she met her future husband, Tommy. Upon his graduation in 1962, they married and began a life together in Waycross, Ga.

Early in their marriage, they moved back to Tommy’s hometown of Fernandina Beach, Florida, where they remained for the rest of their lives. The couple welcomed two sons, Thomas Jefferson IV “Jeff” and Jonathan Taylor “Jon” into their lives. Jeff and Jon could always count on their mom to be a shield from the harsh things in life yet encourage them to always do what was right. She was the first phone call with news, whether good or bad and they could always be sure that her advice was sound. She was more than a mom; she was a friend. She listened to all their problems and celebrated all of their blessings. She was a safe place from life’s storms and could be counted on no matter what. Her life revolved around her boys, and to them, she was the best mom in the history of the world.

Being a mother and grandmother was her greatest blessing in life. Being a stay-at-home mom was her greatest privilege. She loved her children, their mates, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and made a lifelong effort to gather the family around the dinner table as often as possible. She was not only a wonderful mother to her boys, but she was also a mentor and mother to many. She helped “raise” most of the neighborhood kids, as well as many in her community. You were fortunate indeed if you experienced her unconditional love, straightforward opinion, and her deep well of wisdom. Joyce was a patriot to the core; she had a strong love for America and was not shy with her political opinions and values. She instilled in her children and grandchildren that living in America, and voting was a privilege that was not to be taken for granted.

Joyce had a knack for fixing things. Whether it was restoring old furniture or pouring her love on a broken person, she put into action what her compassionate spirit compelled her to do. If something was damaged, she had the knowledge to repair it or the perseverance to figure out how. Joyce was a lover of people…all kinds of people!! From a young age, her heart was always for the less fortunate. As a youngster, she spent many afternoons by the fence of an orphanage which was located in her neighborhood. In college, she talked her sorority sisters into doing for the needy children rather than exchanging gifts themselves. In her adulthood, she spent many years ministering to the homeless in our community. She had a gift for seeing others with the eyes of Jesus, without judgment or condemnation, loving them no matter their circumstances. She put into action her belief that helping others is our calling as Christ followers.

Joyce had the gift of being versatile; she was a Swiss Army knife. She taught Jeff and Jon, as well as her grandson, Cisco, to play baseball, yet when her granddaughter Katy arrived, she quickly became an expert in playing with dolls, playing tea party, and creating crafts of all kinds. She also loved Little League Baseball; for many years, she tirelessly volunteered and met lifelong friends along the way.

In the mid-80s, Tommy and Joyce became active members of the First Assembly of God. She was the church secretary/bookkeeper for over 20 years. Her desire to serve The Lord continued to manifest itself with her passion for helping the homeless. Without hesitation, she dove in and was instrumental in helping Pastor Ed Schick with his vision of having a homeless shelter on church property. She and her husband, Tommy, were also a part of the faithful members who helped to build the church building that they still worship in today. Through the years she has taught Sunday school, been involved with the senior ladies and the missionettes.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, James Taylor Braswell and Myrtice Evelyn Jackson Braswell, her husband, Thomas Jefferson Shave III, and her loving sister-in-law, Gail Shave.
Joyce leaves behind her sons, Jeff (Kim) and Jon (Meredith), her grandchildren, Cisco and Katy, her brother, Gary Braswell (Virginia), her brother-in-law, Ben Shave, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves behind a daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, not of her blood but loved as her own: Rebecca, Jimi, Murphy, Willow, Jameson, Bobby, Cheyenne, Little Bobby, and MJ.

Visitation with family will be held at The Chapel at Oxley Heard Funeral Home on September 29th from 5-7 pm. Funeral services, under the direction of Oxley Heard Funeral Home, will be held at 11:00 am on September 30th at First Assembly of God, 302 S.14th Street, Fernandina.

There will be a private burial at Bosque Bello Cemetery at a later date.