Joy Hines

Joy Hines (November 10, 1945 – February 12, 2026)

Joy Hines, a distinguished educator, devoted matriarch, and a woman of extraordinary

resilience and courage, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on February 12, 2026.

Born on November 10, 1945, in St. Catherine, Jamaica, to Mortimer and Dione Smith,

affectionately called (Bro. Morty and Miss Lil). Joy's journey was defined by lifelong

learning and selfless sacrifice and service.

After attending Brainerd Primary School, she went to Harewood All Age School and

then Villmore School of Commerce where she excelled-so much so that she was

immediately offered a teaching position at the institution. Her passion for growth led her

to further her studies at the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST), now the

University of Technology (UTech). Her academic foundation paved the way for a

remarkable career spanning over twenty-three years at Dinthill Technical High School.

As a specialist in Business subjects, she taught Typewriting, Shorthand, entrepreneur-

ship, and Principles of Business with a level of precision and care that earned her the

deep respect of colleagues and students alike.

Joy eventually rose to serve as Head of the Business Department, where she mentored

fellow educators and helped shape the institution's vocational standards. Her classroom

was more than a place of study; it was an extension of her home a space where she

mothered, nurtured, and counseled students. In July 2005, the Ministry of Education

honored her for 36 years of Distinguished Service to Education, a legacy she carried

into her retirement in 2006. Mom also volunteered after her retirement; she was

instrumental in the implementation of an infant school at Harewood Primary School

which was later renamed Harewood Infant and Primary School. Joy met Lloyd Hines in

St. Catherine in 1967, and they developed a friendship which later blossomed into so

much more.

On December 30, 1979, Joy married the love of her life, Lloyd Hines. Together, they

built a foundation of faith and family that spanned 46 years. Joy's life was defined by an

undeniable strength, most famously captured in January 1982. While her youngest child

was just a few months old, Joy survived being struck by lightning-a miraculous event

that became a cornerstone of her family's history and a testament to her divine fortitude.

Hailed as a pillar of strength, Joy mastered many roles with an undaunted spirit:

teacher, student, mother, and devoted caregiver for her ailing parents. Her faith was her

anchor; she served as an Elder at the Williamsfield Seventh-day Adventist Church,

dedicating herself to the congregation until she migrated to the United States on

September 29, 2017.

In 2019, Joy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, which progressed into full-blown

dementia. Her husband Lloyd became her primary caregiver, and he certainly fulfilled

his marital promise of "In sickness and in Health, till death do us part". He became her

voice, her hands and feet, her everything. In the last eighteen months, Lloyd was given

some assistance, and she was blessed with a team of additional caregivers-Janny,

Osany, and Marite-who went above and beyond to ensure her comfort. Even in the

advanced stages of her illness, she was forging strong bonds, as, despite her

vulnerability, they saw her courage and strength underneath the layers. These ladies

laughed with her, danced with her, sang for her, cared for her, and prayed for her. For

us, the family, they are now a part of the extended family, and we are eternally grateful

for their selfless care.

En 2019, a Joy le diagnosticaron Alzheimer, que progresó hasta convertirse en

demencia grave. Su esposo Lloyd se convirtió en su principal cuidador y cumplió

con su promesa matrimonial de "En la salud y en la enfermedad, hasta que

la muerte nos separe". Se convirtió en su voz, sus manos y sus pies, su

todo. En los últimos dieciocho meses, Lloyd recibió ayuda y tuvo la suerte de

contar con un equipo de cuidadoras adicionales -Janny, Osany y Marite- que

se desvivieron por su bienestar. Incluso en las etapas avanzadas de su

enfermedad, forjó fuertes vínculos, ya que, a pesar de su vulnerabilidad, vieron

su valentía y su fuerza subyacentes. Estas mujeres rieron con ella, bailaron con

ella, cantaron para ella, la cuidaron y oraron por ella. Para nosotros, la familia,

ahora son parte de la familia extendida, y estamos eternamente agradecidos por

su desinteresado cuidado.

Joy will always be remembered as a woman of faith, resilience, integrity and generosity,

someone whose imprint will be left in the hearts of those with whom she came in

contact. True to her name she radiated joy wherever she went. She is predeceased by

two of her children Horace and Marcia. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband

Lloyd Hines, brothers Owen and Harry, children Neressa, Junior, Michelle, Deonne,

Wendy, Yolanda, Brad and Chrystal. She also leaves to honor her legacy her

grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a host of family and friends and the thousands of

students she empowered to succeed.

May her soul rest in peace.