Josephine "Joy" Blighton Lewis

Josephine "Joy" Blighton Lewis, lovingly known as "Joy" to her family and friends, passed away peacefully in Pensacola, Florida, on August 5, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 1, 1941, to Merritt and Mae Blighton.

Although born in Chicago, Joy spent most of her life in Marianna, Florida, where she built a life centered on faith, family, and service to her community. Joy was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church of Marianna for many decades. She faithfully served as an ordained Elder, sang in the church choir for more than 50 years, served on numerous church committees, taught Sunday School while her daughters were young, and served two terms as President of the Pilot Club of Marianna. Her unwavering faith and dedication to her church family touched countless lives.

Joy enjoyed a long career in mortgage lending, working for many years at two local banks before retiring from the Florida Department of Corrections in 2011. Those who knew Joy will remember her gentle spirit, warm smile, and unwavering kindness. She had a servant's heart, always placing the needs of others before her own. Whether through her church, her work, or simply being there for family and friends, Joy quietly made the lives of those around her better. Her Christian faith guided every aspect of her life and was the foundation of her strength, compassion, and generosity. Joy faced her final days with the same grace, courage, and steadfast faith that defined her life. Her greatest legacy was the faith she lived, the love she shared, and the example she set for her family, her church, and her community. 

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. She was preceded in death by her parents, Merritt and Mae Blighton, and her sister, Donna O'Brian.

Joy is lovingly survived by her devoted husband and best friend of 67 years, Alex Hays Lewis, Jr. ("Bubba"); her three sisters, Mable Wamble, Kathy Bagley, and Kathleen Teague (Richard); her two daughters, Deborah Coronato (James) and Eugenia "Jeannie" Willis (Harley); her four grandchildren, Christina Parker (Ben), Jamie Coronato, Hays Willis (Cecily), and Kayla Owen (Jeremiah); her nine cherished great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Marianna on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 2 PM, with Greg Bird and Dr. Ted Land officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church of Marianna. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church 1835 Fund, 4437 Clinton Street, Marianna, Florida 32446; the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation; or the American Heart Association.The family finds comfort in knowing that Joy's race was run with faithfulness, her life was marked by love and service, and she now rests in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7

"Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter into the joy of your master." — Matthew 25:23