Joyce Buckley Speights, 83, of Prentiss, passed away at St. Dominic Hospital on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, after a brief illness. A celebration of life of was held at Whitesand Baptist Church on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 3 p.m., with visitation prior to the service.

Joyce Buckley Speights was born on Oct. 7, 1938, in Oakvale.  She was the second of six children born to Austin and Gertrude Buckley.

She lived in Prentiss most of her life, working for Dr. M. L. Arrington for over 30 years as his secretary and medical biller.   She moved to Jackson while her son, Steven, was in medical school in 1990.    At UMMC, she worked as a secretary in the Medical Oncology Department, making many friends and having the distinct pleasure of working with Dr. Tate Thigpen, Dr. Bruce Lambuth and Dr. Ralph Vance.  In 2000, she returned to Prentiss, working at Jefferson Davis Community Hospital for a few years before finally retiring.

Joyce was a breast cancer survivor and enjoyed Relay for Life in support of those with cancer. She was a member of Whitesand Baptist Church.  She was an absolute rockstar grandmother of eight grandchildren, devoting all of her time, no matter the circumstance, to their well-being and success.  She was a never wavering advocate for those she loved, a teacher, a cook and a storyteller with few rivals.  She was a giver to the grands, never a taker, selfless and a fierce supporter.  A steward to the success of her family no matter her station.  You could have disagreed with her, but we could have only wished you luck.  She was steadfast and honest.  She was a foxhole mother and grandmother.  We all loved her, and will miss her, and she is not replaceable.  It is now formally placed on her eight grandchildren to live her legacy and be their best as she would demand nothing less.  She sacrificed so we all could be better. We are.  All of her grandchildren should strive to be more, be their best, win but be polite about it, persevere, love, endure, have courage, be honest and do not waiver on whatever is just and true.  Suffer for the better tomorrow in all endeavors.

She is survived by one son, Dr. Steven Speights and his wife Kristie of Jackson and one daughter,  Allison Daughdrill and her husband Wes of Prentiss.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Wesley Daughdrill, Austin Daughdrill, Parkman Speights, Ginny Daughdrill, Buckley Speights, Win Speights, Avery Daughdrill and Emi Story Speights; three sisters, Sybil Smith, Georgia Faye Dale and Margaret Delia Speights and one brother, Austin Buckley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson, William Turner Daughdrill and one brother, Noel Benny Buckley.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the providers who met every need over these past weeks.  Jefferson Davis Community Hospital and its staff met every acute and short-term need during this difficult time.  We wish to also thank Drs. Cas Heath, Brandon Myers, Chris Jackson and Yathish Halar at Baptist Medical Center.  The care received at St. Dominic Hospital was compassionate and the care unequaled.  We want to particularly  thank Dr. Scott McPherson and Dr. Bryan Gaspard.  We hold a special place for Hannah and the other Neuro-ICU nurses as well as Vickie and the staff of 4 South.  Dr. Ruth Fredricks met every expectation and more.  Words are not enough.

The family requests any memorials be made to Canopy Children’s Solutions (mycanopy.org) in Jackson, with a specific request to Autism Solutions or to Fund for the Girls (baptisthealth.foundation).