Joyce Jeffries

Passed away on Jan. 5, 2015 in Stow, at the age of 87. She was born on July 22, 1927, in Akron to the late Earl Robert and Zada Merle (Key) Weiss. Joyce graduated from Kent State High School and Hammel Actual Business College in Akron. She married the late William Jeffries, Sr. in 1944, and the two were happily married for just under 60 years, prior to his passing. Joyce spent some time in the world of business, working different secretarial jobs after college, but focused mainly on her family. She read extensively and had a passion for studying religion as well as following politics, her interests branching out into the visual arts over time. Joyce studied drawing in charcoal and colored pencil at the North Canton Public Library, where her works were sometimes exhibited. For many years, Joyce and her husband loved singing every Sunday in the church choir.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia (Weiss) Krebs. She is survived by her five children: William (Peggy) Jeffries, Jr., of Akron: Mark Jeffries of Tempe, Ariz., Martin Jeffries of Tucson, Ariz., Laurel (Christopher) Taylor of Lancaster, Va., and Jon (Lucy) Jeffries of Stow; she is also survived by five siblings: Joan (George) Spradlin of Fort Smith, Arkansas., Rev. James (Janet) Weiss of Leesburg, Fla., Peggy Stark of Uniontown, Dawn Rhoads of Richmond, Texas, and Edward (Dianne) Weiss of Palm Harbor, Fla.; and she is survived by several beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce will be remembered by her family and friends for her energy and vivacity, as well as her readiness to talk about her faith, Christianity, and its relation to the events around us.

Joyce's memorial service was on Jan. 9th., at the Karlo-Libby Funeral Home in Canton. There will be a private committal service for the family on Sunday, May 24th., in the mausoleum at Sunset Hills Burial Park in Canton. The service will be officiated by Pastor David Ryan of Grace Baptist Church in Canton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Grace Baptist Church, 5050 Middlebranch Ave. N.E., Canton, OH 44705.