Lynette Joye Hitt

Wanda Lynette Joye Hitt, 86, of Thomasville, GA, died on January 27, 2026, at Archbold Hospital. Lynette was born March 22, 1939, in Thomasville, GA, daughter of Daniel Rease "Happy" Joye and India Lucile "Cile" Norton Joye, and granddaughter of Fred Sellick Norton and India Whipple Norton and John Ervin Joye and Cornelia Player Joye. She was a graduate of Thomasville High School class of 1957, and graduated from Joye's Business School in Thomasville, GA in 1959.

She married the late John William Pierre "Bill" Hitt, while still in the 11th grade, and after graduation they moved to Jacksonville, FL, where she worked for several years as a legal assistant, taking an active role in the struggle for Women's Rights and Civil Rights as well as anti-war protests against the Vietnam War during the 60's and 70's. In the mid-70s she moved back to Thomasville where she worked as a bookkeeper for Melrose Plantation. She commuted for many years to Tallahassee, FL, where she worked as a law firm administrator for two large law firms, and as a Realtor. Lynette later worked in Thomasville as Deputy Clerk of Thomas County Superior and State Court. Upon her retirement she was a Greeter for several years at Birdsong Nature Center in Beachton and as a Bailiff in the Superior Court of Thomas County, GA. Lynette loved the outdoors, and especially loved tent camping in the woods or the mountains, or on Cumberland Island with her beloved grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, John William Pierre "Bill" Hitt, III, Mysti Caprice Joye, and Kimberly Hitt Atkinson, her daughter-in-law, Sue Mallory Hitt, her sister, India Marlene Joye, six grandchildren, Krysti Flowers Gambrell, Allison Mallory-Luchini, Alexa Hitt Dupriest, Alex Rease Rooster Hitt, Krystal Joye Tillman and Summer Joye Hitt Gunn, her nieces, Gretchen King Bickel and Camille King, twelve great-grandchildren, and three great-nephews and a niece. She was predeceased in death by her parents and by her son, Troy Savage Rease Hitt, as well as an older sister who died at birth.

In lieu of flowers Lynette would love for you to make a donation to Birdsong Nature Center, 2106 Meridian Rd., Thomasville, GA 31792.

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.