Joyce

Simms

JOYCE SIMMS -- OBITUARY

July 24, 1934 - May 25, 2025

Joyce Dolores Shaw was born on July 24, 1934, to Ruby Alberga Cotterell and Carvel Shaw. Ruby was a dressmaker in Kingston, Jamaica, and Joyce was raised along with her two younger sisters, Sydney and Dacia.  Despite challenging circumstances, Joyce grew up having a strong spirit and a sense of determination to overcome any challenge.  Mama was nurtured by her aunt, Sister Myrtle and by a close family member, Aunt Hazel.

Joyce attended Half Way Tree Primary school and excelled in track and field.  She finished high school, but due to economic circumstances, she had little opportunity to pursue further education.

She met her husband, Kingsley Simms, in Kencot, the neighborhood where she grew up.  Kingsley was a young boy who visited relatives in Kencot.  Our parents, Mama and Dadda, soon became fast friends, and by her own account, they used to hold hands and walk around the neighborhood.  He lived with his father in Lawrence Tavern, St. Andrew, and frequently took the bus to Kingston to meet with Joyce.  After finishing high school, Kingsley got a job in downtown Kingston, working in a bank and then at Royal Mail Shipping. He made plans to marry Joyce and they got married at St. Andrew Parish Church on February 8, 1958.  They had four children, Judith, Robert, Brian and Gregory.  Joyce looked after her children at home and wanted a better life for the family, but opportunity was scarce. Mama was given the opportunity to migrate to the United States, which she succeeded in doing.

Mama would be away from her husband and children for several years.  She went into an unknown environment, with no network to support her, where there was no guarantee of success.  Yet year after year, Mama persevered.  After several years, she achieved her goal and Kingsley and the children traveled to join her, and they settled down to re-start their life together. Mama's constant refrain was for her children to go back to school and get the education they needed for a better future.  Her insistence kept us focused and we understood that if Mama persevered, we could do it too.

Mama made the most of her capabilities. She wrote well and she spoke well. As a testament to Mama's organizational skills, her good friend, Ina Geddes, relied on Mama to manage the office in her construction company in Jamaica.  Mama was dependable, and always serious about getting business done.  Even when Mama was away from us, she was the stabilizing factor in our lives. She always insisted that we remain on the straight and narrow path.  We owe her a debt of gratitude that we cannot easily express.  By God's providence, He gave Mama as a guide that led us to a better quality of life.

Mama is survived by her husband, Kingsley.  They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on February 8, 2025.  She is also survived by her children, Judith, Robert, Brian, Gregory and step-daughter Samantha; in-laws, Paul, Charmaine(deceased), Selina, Daneia, Hopewana, Andre as well as grandchildren, Olivia, Russell, Brandon, Stephanie, Amanda, Jessica, Brian, Jr., Loren, Alexa, Brianna, Dominick, Nathan, Eli, Elijah and Amira, as well as great grandchildren, Noah and Uriah, and her sisters Sydney and Dacia in Jamaica.

On May 25, 2025, after 90 valiant years and a short illness, Mama made her transition and entrusted the repose of her soul to her Heavenly Father.

We look forward to the Day of Resurrection, when we can reunite with Mama in the Father's House.

"May light eternal shine upon her and all the faithful departed, through the grace of God."