Joye Collins Jones

Joye Collins Jones passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 after a long and courageous battle with stage 4 lung cancer. She left this life peacefully, surrounded by her family. Joye was born in Pampa, Texas on June 24, 1947 the youngest of Louise and A.J. Collins’ three children. She moved to Dallas in 1968 and worked as the office manager for Bausch and Lomb for over 10 years. She returned to college and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Counseling/Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1984. She then went to work for Goodwill Industries of Dallas and served as Goodwill’s Human Resources Director for 30 years. She retired from Goodwill in January 2014. After a rather “tumultuous” courtship, Joye married Hank Jones in August of 1977. This began a marriage that had a rock-solid foundation. What began as two individuals quickly became two souls that wove together. The two souls became one – an unbreakable bond of love and respect. In August of 2015, Joye and Hank renewed their wedding vows in the Sanctuary of their church, Wheatland United Methodist. It was attended by over 120 friends and family members. It was truly an uplifting and moving experience for both of them. Their marriage had many memorable moments, but the vows renewal ceremony ranked close to the very top. Joye and Hank loved to travel and they were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit many countries in Western and Eastern Europe as well as China. They also loved to hit the road in the U.S. with their motorhome which they named “Big Bertha.” One of Joye’s greatest joys was being a mother and a grandmother. She was blessed with a daughter, Tammy, in 1966; later, in 1990, a granddaughter, Jessica, and in 1993 grandson, John. She was very proud of her daughter and grandchildren and loved them very much. Joye was an active member of Wheatland United Methodist Church, where she was president of the United Methodist Women’s group. As a life-long Methodist, Joye put into practice the Methodist ideals of social holiness, charity, and service to the poor and vulnerable. She embraced Wheatland United Methodist because it embodied these ideals. In turn, she was embraced and loved by the Wheatland Methodist community. To say the least, Joye was a unique individual. In her role as Goodwill’s HR Director, she helped so many people who needed assistance and a chance to better their lives – people with disabilities, the homeless, people released from prison, people from all walks of life. Joye believed that if people showed a desire to improve their lives then they deserved to be given a chance and a second chance. She was truly loved by the employees at Goodwill. Joye had many, many friends and she served as an inspiration to all who met her. She embraced every person as an individual, gave them a ready and genuine smile. Though at times she was in pain, her laughter and positive attitude were infectious. Joye had that rather rare ability to actually listen to a person. That person knew that Joye was completely focused on them – as if no one else was in the room. Joye truly lived her faith in God. She reached out and touched so many lives. Though we all miss her so very much, we know she is not gone from our lives. She lives in each and every one of us who knew her. Joye was preceded in death by her mother Louise Collins; father A.J. Collins, sister Jerry Turner, and brother Jack Collins. She is survived by her husband Hank Jones, daughter Tammy Cuff and grandchildren Jessica and John Michael Cuff; nieces: Melinda Daniels, Mary Elliott, Angela Staten, Sheri Tice, Dora Taylor, and nephew Jack Collins, Jr. The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the medical staff at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Specifically, we wish to thank Dr. Joan Schiller, Dr. Desi Carozza, Dr. Enas Kandil, and Dr. Anthony Edwards, their staffs, and the nursing staffs at Clements University Hospital, and Zale Lipshy Hospital. Their professionalism and true caring were evident throughout Joye’s fight with cancer. If two words could catch the essence of Joye’s life, they would be, “Amazing Grace.” A Memorial Service celebrating Joye’s life will be held on Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 a.m. at Glen Oaks United Methodist Church (4606 S. Polk, Dallas TX 75232) In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Project 4031 - A nonprofit serving North Texas that provides assistance to families of terminally ill loved ones who are having trouble meeting life’s necessities; i.e. food, shelter, clothing, etc. (www.project4031.org ) or Project 4031 6100 Western Place, Suite 911; Fort Worth, TX 76107)