Forever in Our Hearts
Brent Jeffers, Sr (age 83) and Joyce Ann Cobb Jeffers (age 83), of St. Petersburg, FL, took their final journey on earth together last week. They both went to be with their God, within five short days of one another.
Brent, Born January 22nd, 1940, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 29th at 9:53am with his wife and grandsons by his side in that final moment.
Brent was born in Charleston, West Virginia to parents Hazel and Dell Jeffers. Brent had an older Brother Paul who survived only 5 days after birth. He was an only child, until later when his Mother married Cody Roberts after she was widowed by Dell. Brent and his Step-brother, Bill Roberts, were truly bonded, and loved growing up together. Brent was treated like nothing less than a Son by his Dad, Cody.
Brent was a good Man, loving Husband, and Father. His friends would tell you that he had a laugh that brought the room to life, and a deep love for animals. His children would tell you, he was tender, and loved them with his whole heart. His big hugs will be missed by all who knew him.
Joyce, Born August 25th, 1939, waited five days to give us a little more time to say “goodbye for now”. She passed away peacefully on Friday February 3rd at 6:35pm with her Daughter, 2 grandsons, and granddaughter-in-law by her side in that final moment.
Joyce was born in Middlesborro, Kentucky to parents Elsie and William Cobb. Joyce was one of six children. All Siblings in order: Jean, Vernon Claude, Barbara, Joyce, Myrtle Sue, & Homer. Joyce was a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a proud member of the Spencer Clack Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), out of Tennessee where her family settled in the 1800’s.
She fiercely loved EVERYONE she came in contact with. She is also a lupus survivor, as she miraculously beat a life-threatening flare up in her late 30’s, that in most cases are not survivable. Joyce was undoubtedly a walking miracle for over forty more years, as her impact on the world wasn’t yet finished. She took advantage of every opportunity to share positive lessons and wisdom with her friends and family, and although she was a good talker, she was best at listening. She was beyond trust-worthy, and most certainly carried many secrets of others, with her until her final day here in the flesh.
Her deep love is leaving hundreds of hearts heavy, and she will be missed dearly.
A little about their life and love story…
Joyce and Brent Met in West Virginia shortly after high school graduation. They began their life together at the young age of 18 on January 30, 1958.
On January 6th, 1959, they had their Daughter Rhonda Lee Jeffers, and on September 14th, 1963, their family was completed when they brought their Son William Brent Jeffer II into the world.
As a family, they loved to go camping, take long scenic drives, and have big family dinners on Sundays. Joyce was a Girl Scout Leader, and Cub Scout Leader. They were doting parents.
In 1970, they left their home in Charleston, West Virginia, and moved to St. Petersburg, FL. Brent was a Trucking & Logistics Manager and Joyce was the Office Manager for Amteco Machine Manufacturing, along with working for several years as a care-taker for the elderly. Joyce was also in the Avon Presidents Club several years in a row, in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
Both Brent and Joyce made friends easily. After their kids were grown, they loved to ride their motorcycle together, and take long road trips with friends. They made beautiful memories with all who were in their space.
Joyce was a member of Clearview Baptist Church in St. Petersburg. They loved their family and enjoyed every minute spent with their 9 grandchildren Jason, Joseph, Amanda, Kristen, Lorraine, Nia, Brent III, Matthew, and Cody. There are 9 great grandchildren. Plus 3 bonus grandchildren, and 7 bonus great grandchildren. Totalling 12 grand babies, and 16 great grand babies.
A Celebration of their lives will be held at Veterans Funeral Care, 830 N. Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL on Sunday February 12th, 2023 from 1-3pm. Floral tributes are welcome and Joyces favorite flower is “forget me nots.”
They will be entombed together at Memorial Park Cemetery the following day.
What a fine couple Brent & Joyce were. Through the years I’ve known them, I was always impressed how their children and especially the grandchildren loved on them. Says a lot about them docent it? May God bless Brent & Joyces family and keep those great memories deep in their hearts.
To the entire family of my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Brent; Sending our love and prayers to the family of William Brent and Joyce Ann Jeffers. They will be forever near to our hearts and in our thoughts. Sharing in your grief but knowing they are no longer feeling any pain. Much love to our Jeffers/Cobb family. ♥
With much love,
Camilla, Rachael, Glenn and Gregory Eddins
Mom and Dad! I love you both so much! People ask me how I’m doing. I lie to them and say I’m doing OK. I’m not. The truth is I’m broken. Whenever I was feeling low, I could pick up the phone and talk to either one of you and you always made it better. I know you both are in a better place, however I am going to miss our talks. Dad, thank you for waking me up at 1 AM on a weekend morning to go fishing with you and uncle Bill. That meant more to me than you will ever know. Mom, whenever I was in any kind of trouble, you always made it better. I would get lost in your hugs. I love you both so much I will try my best to stay strong here on this earth until I meet you both again in heaven.
I woke up this morning from a dream replaying funny moments I had with this fine couple. I worked as an activities assistant at the nursing home they resided in. Something told me to look them up online as I felt the dream was a visit from their sweet souls….I was correct. I moved on from the position at that facility, but I will never forget the Jeffers. May they hold hands in heaven as they did up til their last days here on earth.
Grandma, Grandpa,
I’ve been meaning to write this for quite some time.
It’s been over a year since you’ve both been gone, and in many ways the pain I felt when you left this world feels the same today as it did then.
I miss you both terribly. You were both such constants in my life that it feels as if something was physically ripped away from me. I suppose in many ways something was.
From the very beginning you both were there. From my earliest of memories as a kid in Florida, to my teenage years in North Carolina, and throughout my adulthood, you were always there. I’m so grateful for the time we had together. I’m so grateful for all the memories we made and shared. And because you both were who you were, when it comes to memories, my cup runs over.
Grandpa… I miss your laugh. I miss your funny stories. I can still clearly picture your smile, and it was a smile that touched every part of your face. I knew, too, that when I saw that smile, I’d soon be laughing because you would do or say something to ensure that happened. You had an amazing gift—that gift being the uncanny ability to bring so much humor and laughter to those around you, and it’s one of the things I miss the most.
Grandma… I miss your voice. I miss our talks. I miss your warmth. I still hear your voice clearly in my head, and I can’t understate the depth of love in it. If your warmth was something tangible, it was a blanket that I could wrap myself tightly in. You as well had an amazing gift, a gift I’ve rarely found in others—your limitless capacity for love. It knew no bounds and anyone who was lucky enough to be touched by it experienced something truly special and unique.
As difficult as it was, I was so happy to be able to spend those final days with you both. In a way it was very fitting. You were there at the beginning, holding my hand and continued to hold it through life. Then, at the end, I got to be there and hold your hand.
Thank you for your love. Thank you for every memory I now cherish. Thank you for being simply who you were.
I love you.