Dr. Joyce R. Sheffield, a servant dedicated to God, an accomplished physician, and dedicated research physician died on Sunday, November 4. 2018. She battled bravely with cancer for four years. She was 48.

Joyce was born on March 22, 1970, to Dr. and Mrs. R. Sheffield in the prestigious Summerville area of Augusta, Ga. She was educated in the public school system and graduated with many awards. She studied at Emory University Medical School and graduated top of her class. While in medical school, she served as class president and also become a member of Phi Chi Medical Societies. After graduation, she dedicated her time to research and helping others in need.

Her family said she loved her patients and they loved her. She has served on the staff of Augusta’s Dwight D. Eisenhower board of directors for both medical and research teams. Sheffield became a clinical care associate with the Georgia Regents Health System and a clinical associate with Georgia Regents board of infectious disease control and cancer research.

Sheffield’s professional affiliations and honors were numerous. For many years she was editor and publisher of the MSEPulse, a news magazine for the Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania. Sheffield is the past president of both that organization and the Keystone State Medical Society. She is also past president of the Emory University of Family Physicians.

She is the recipient of various awards and honors including the Legion of the Honor Award presented by the Chapel of the Four Chaplains. She was also named among Who’s Who in American Women and received honors from the Alpha Omega Medical Honor Society and Kappa Phi Medical Society. In 2015 Medical Society named Sheffield Practitioner of the Year, making her the second American born female to receive this honor. Three times, she received the Mercy Douglass Lectureship Award for Outstanding Service.

Sheffield loved trips to the beach, reading books and above all serving her Lord above.

She is survived by her brother, Charles; sister, Joy; one son, Richard Brown; and other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service and Spreading Ashes at the Sea will be held in St. Simons Island. Rev. Fendeg will be conducting the services and vessel will leave the port at 6 am on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society of Augusta, Ga in the family name of Sheffield.

Neptune Society is in charge of the cremation and Spreading of Ashes at the Sea is in charge of services.