Joyce Jackson

Joyce Barnes Jackson, 93, of Whitney Point, NY passed away peacefully at home on October 17, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Russell Jackson on May 5, 2022 and her son, Ralph Jackson on January 22, 2022. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Bessie Barnes and her sister, Barbara McDonald. She is survived by 3 children, Gerry (Yvonne) Jackson, Marilyn (Jeff) Mason and Linda Moore; 10 grandchildren, Andy (Melissa), Lewis (Bobbi Jo), Jeremy (Lisa), Robert (Amanda), and Matthew (Leigh) Jackson, Devon (Chris), Cedric (Emilie), Aaron (Megan), Tyler (Emma), and Spencer Moore; 11 great-grandchildren, Andrea (Quintin) Sengsounthone, Nathan, Orlando, Courtney, Lauren, Lucas, Kacey, Austin, Jodie and Mya Jackson ,and Hugo Moore. She is also survived by brother-in-law Roger (Jannette) Jackson and sisters-in-law Carol Shellhammer and Barbara Jackson. Joyce was a remarkable woman. Born in 1930 during the onset of the Great Depression, she and her family were fortunate to live on a farm and have the resources to survive. Growing up, she even drove tractors to help out around the farm. Her mother started Barnes Store in the sun parlor of their house, and it was successful enough that they needed more space, so they moved it into an old horse barn across the road from their house. Joyce and Russell were married in September 1950. A couple years later, they built their own house on the Barnes property, right next to Joyce’s childhood home and across the road from the store. She and Russ took over ownership and operation of Barnes Store outside of Whitney Point. They expanded to a 2nd store in the plaza in Maine, NY in 1968. She was a bit of a trailblazer, raising four children and having a job outside the home at the same time, which was a rarity in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Throughout her life, she was quite the mother hen and was always concerned that people were fed. Joyce had a passion for writing and the talent to go along with it. She was religious about writing in her journal daily, usually in the evening when things were winding down and she could take the time to put pen to paper and record the happenings in her life. Her gift of writing even expanded to writing stories for the local Pennysaver for a time. Another great passion of hers was history and genealogy. She was a member of the Nanticoke Valley Historical Society and would give tours at the museum. She kept up on all the local history and often submitted her writings and photographs for local papers and books. Genealogy was extremely important to her, and it was a constant project in her life. She not only kept her family history up to date, but she also researched it centuries into the past. She was so fascinated with genealogy, that she even enjoyed researching the family history of others. Until recently, Joyce and Russ spent their winters in Florida. They were also very fortunate to be able to travel a lot, all over the country in a motorhome and Joyce loved to keep travel logs of their trips and make scrapbooks as well. Family meant everything to Joyce (and Russ), and they always did what they could to help a family member in need. Joyce valued everything in her life, but mainly she valued her family and was extremely proud of the legacy that she and Russ had created for them for generations to come. The family will receive friends at Sunset Memorial Services LLC, 2659 Main St., Whitney Point on Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 3 to 5 pm. Funeral Services will be Monday, October 23, 2023 at 10:00 am, followed by burial at Allentown Cemetery, Route 26, south of Glen Aubrey. Lunch will be provided at the Glen Aubrey Fire Station after the burial. Come grab a bite to eat and share your favorite memories of Joyce. Donations in her memory can be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier or the Nanticoke Valley Historical Society.

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