Joyce Willene Oakes

Joyce Willene Oakes, 81, passed away at her home in Oakland, California on April 17, 2021.

Joyce was born on January 20, 1940 in Wayne County, Georgia to the late Solomon and Asilee Jarriel Mallard.  She spent her early years in Odum where she was educated in the Wayne County School System and graduated high school as salutatorian. After meeting and marrying her husband, who was serving in the United States Army, the two were stationed in Germany before returning to the United States, where they lived in Tennessee, Ohio, Florida, and Georgia.

Later in life, Joyce attained her nursing degree from South Georgia College in 1980 where she graduated at the top of her class.  She then began a rewarding career working as a Registered Nurse at several different hospitals including Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, GA, Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cape Canaveral, FL and Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup, GA. Joyce even worked as a visiting nurse for many years, making house calls for people who were “shut in” and ensuring that their health needs were met.  Joyce’s strong desire to serve and help others made her a natural at her career and she excelled.  She constantly looked after the needs of others and was always willing to lend a helping hand.  Joyce was an active member of New Hope Free Will Baptist Church where she served as the church secretary for many years.  In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and traveling, but her heart was always happiest when she was with her beloved family and close friends.

In addition to her parents, her husband, Bobbie Hugh Oakes; her brothers, Thomas and Raymond Mallard; and her daughter, Michelle Oakes all preceded her in death.

Survivors include her daughter, Grace Oakes and daughter’s fiancé, Blaze Kenyon of Oakland, CA; son-in-law, Russell Kiel of Oakland, CA; three special sisters-in-law, Linda Mallard of Brunswick, GA, Billie Ruth McMillan of Sylvania, GA, and Jane Hutchinson and husband, Pete of Ellabell, GA; and a longtime friend who was like a son, Adam Cornelius of San Francisco, CA.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Tim Horne officiating. 

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

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