Joyce Holmes Sanford

Funeral services for Joyce Holmes Sanford will be held at Lakeland Presbyterian Church on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 11am with visitation starting at 10am at the church. Visitation will be from 6pm to 8pm at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon on Wednesday, August 6, 2026.

Joyce Holmes Sanford, known affectionately to her friends as “Joyce” and to her family as “Mom,” “Mother,” “Grandmother,” and “Grandma Joy,” entered the presence of her Savior on August 1, 2026, at the age of 95.

More than anything, Joyce desired to be known as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Her relationship with the Lord was the foundation of her life and the source of her unwavering hope, joy, and strength. She loved God’s Word, believed deeply in the power of prayer, and sought every day to reflect Christ’s love through kindness, compassion, generosity, and faithful service. Whether through a heartfelt conversation, a Bible study, or simply opening her home and table to others, Joyce faithfully pointed people to Jesus. Her greatest desire was that those she loved would know Him personally.

Joyce embraced life with enthusiasm and gratitude, delighting in God’s creation and finding beauty in every season. She had an extraordinary gift for hospitality and treasured gathering family and friends around her table. She believed that some of life’s sweetest moments were found in sharing a meal, a conversation, and laughter with those she loved. Her friendships were lifelong, genuine, and deeply treasured, and she had a remarkable way of making everyone feel welcomed, valued, and loved.

Joyce was born on October 8, 1930, in Hollybush (Pelahatchie), Mississippi, to the late Edna McKay Holmes and Oliver Wendall Holmes. Her family later moved to the Forest Hill area of Jackson, where her parents managed a cattle farm for the Hederman family, owners of the local Jackson newspapers. During a summer job at the newspaper, Joyce met the absolute love of her life, Thomas William Sanford. Their meeting marked the beginning of a beautiful love story that would span more than 71 years of marriage, built on unwavering devotion, faith, and partnership, until Tom’s passing in October 2021.

Throughout her career, Joyce was respected for her intelligence, exceptional organization, professionalism, and tireless work ethic. She served in secretarial roles for several distinguished offices, including former Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Charlie Sullivan. She later joined the Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission, where her dedication and excellence led her to the position of Executive Assistant to the Director.

While Joyce valued her work, her greatest investments were always in her faith, her family, and her church. She faithfully served in numerous leadership roles within Presbyterian Women, including several terms as President, Christian Growth Chairman, Circle Bible Study teacher, and member of the church council. One of the greatest joys of her life was teaching the interdenominational Explorers Bible Study at Colonial Heights Baptist Church for twelve years. She counted those years among her richest blessings and considered it a privilege to help others grow in their knowledge and love of Scripture.

Joyce’s curiosity and love of learning remained with her throughout her life. She was an avid reader, an enthusiastic member of her monthly book club until her final days, and a fiercely competitive bridge player well into her nineties. She and Tom also shared a love for music and live performances, delighting in everything from local school programs and community theater to productions across the country. She embraced every opportunity to celebrate life’s beauty with those she loved.

Above all, Joyce’s greatest joy and proudest legacy was her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 72 years, Thomas W. Sanford.

She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her example of steadfast faith and unconditional love: her children, Thomas Sanford Jr., Sherree (Ray) Ainsworth, Charles (Cathy) Sanford, and Steve (Karin) Sanford; her grandchildren, Kim Sanford, Adam Sanford, Allison (Tyler) Tharp, Casey (Erin) Sanford, Mason Nooe, Jesse Sanford, and Will Sanford; and her seven great-grandchildren, Cody and Hunter Reed, Hayes and Tatum Sanford, Axel and Nellie Sanford, and Maddox Nooe.

Joyce’s legacy cannot be measured simply by the years she lived, but by the countless lives she touched. She loved deeply, served faithfully, prayed fervently, welcomed generously, and pointed others to Christ through both her words and her example. Her family rejoices in the assurance that she is now fully healed and at home with her Savior, hearing the words she longed for every faithful believer to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”