Joy Brenda Merritt Foxworth

Joy Brenda Merritt Foxworth died Tuesday, September 14, 2011 in Pensacola, Florida. Joy was born August 9th, 1952 in Valparaiso, Florida. She grew up in Crestview, Florida, graduating from Crestview High School in 1970. Joy attended Okaloosa Walton Junior College and graduated from the University of West Florida. She completed her MBA at Troy State University. Joy retired in 1999 with more than 28 years of Federal service. She started her Federal career at Eglin Air Force Base and later transferred to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, working at several commands until she found her calling in the Human Resources Office, HRO, and the Naval Education and Training Command. Joy worked in several functional areas with HRO and retired as the Comptroller/Administrative Officer. Her peers referred to her as “an intellect capable of challenging any situation”. She possessed the unique ability to look at the big picture, consider practical issues, apply her expert knowledge and find solutions that perfectly fit the situation. Joy received numerous accolades that included the DON’s Meritorious and Superior Civilian Service Awards, two of the highest awards granted to a civilian employee. Joy was a long-time member of Beta Sigma Phi, Preceptor Laureate Epsilon of Pensacola. She held many positions during her 28 year sorority membership, including serving on the Beta Sigma Phi Council. Joy treasured her sorority experience and formed many special friendships during those years. She was preceded in death by her father, James E. Merritt, Her grandmother, Alberta Merritt, and her uncles, Harold and Ronald Boyett. She is survived by Larry Foxworth, her husband of 29 years; her mother, Louise Merritt; her son, David and wife Jackie; her son, Brian and wife Kari; four grandchildren, London, Chandler, Paige, and Cal; her brother, Jackie and wife Sonya; her sister, Jan Merritt Very; nieces and nephews, Sean Merritt, Summer Jones (Joe), Shawna Finstead (Tim), April Merritt, and Christopher Very; grand nieces and nephews, Austin, Skyler, and Kaitlyn Merritt, MaKayla and Jackson Finstead. Pallbearers will be Sean Merritt, Christopher Very, Austin Merritt, and Chandler Foxworth. Honorary Pallbearers are William Foxworth, Jr., Mac Nichols, and Jeff Paul. The family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Tom Sunnenberg and his staff for their compassion and kindness to Joy during her illness, and to the staff of Sacred Heart Hospital and Covenant Hospice during Joy’s brief stay with them. Visitation will be at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, Florida from 2pm until 4pm Sunday, September 18th, with the service following at 4pm. Burial will be Monday, September 19th, at 12:15 at Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Cemetery: Monday, September 19, 2011, the family will meet at the funeral home beginning at 12:15 p.m. Funeral cortege will then leave Faith Chapel South at 12:45 p.m. and proceed to Barrancas National Cemetery for committal service at 1:15 p.m.

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Joy Brenda Merritt Foxworth

August 9, 1952 - September 14, 2011