Joyce Gillette

Joyce Evelyn Gillette (nee Rogers), age 96, passed away on January 3, 2024, in the same manner with which she lived – gently and gracefully. Born on November 6, 1927, she was the granddaughter of the late St. Lucie County Sheriff R.L. Brown and great-great-granddaughter of Fort Pierce pioneers Capt. Benjamin and Annie Hogg.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents Margaret Lenora (Brown) and Jesse Clayton Rogers, brothers Stacy and Leslie; sisters Phyllis, Dorothy and Betty; husband Edgar “Bud” Gillette; son Wesley; daughter Joyce Ann; grandsons Adam and Jason; and Michele Jaggernauth, mother of six of her great-grandchildren.

Joyce and Bud met while he was stationed on Hutchinson Island with the U.S. Navy during World War II. She married him at 16 in 1944 and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. When her children were grown, she began a career as a teacher’s aide for the St. Lucie County School Board, retiring after many years of faithful, caring service.

A rare native of St. Lucie County, she could trace her roots to the turn of the century. Famous for making “darn goods,” “macaroni mess,” “baby food cake” and sweet tea with lemonade, Joyce was also known as Baby to her older siblings, Pretty Girl to her husband, Mom, Grandma Gillette, Nana Grandma, Aunt Joyce and Miss Joyce.

Survivors include sons Stacy (Sharon), David (Ellen) and John (Donna) Gillette; daughter-in-law Thanh Gillette; grandchildren Jimy (Kellie), Donna (Andy Delgado), Grace and Michael; Stephen (Stacey), Scott (Lisa) and Shawn; Caleb, Terri and Becky (Scott Ellingson); Jamie (Perry Barbour); and great-grandchildren Joanna and Justin Gillette; Julia, Adrianna, and Alexander Delgado; Matthew, Sarah (Josh Osteen) and Rachel Gillette; Daniel (Scarlett), Dakota (Leah) and Dylan Gillette; Sadie, Miles, Maxwell, Mason, Mikhail and Marcel Gillette; Jasmine and Adam II Gillette; Randy Blanchard III, and Aubrey and Brady Ellingson; Hunter and Trace Gillette; and Jacob, Haylie and Raelynn Barbour. They, many other relatives, and friends from work, church and her community will miss her dearly.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for family and friends at the Savannahs Condominium Association Clubhouse, 1725 Lakefront Blvd. in Fort Pierce, Florida on February 4th at 3:00 PM.