Joyce Coggins Shields, 86, a native of Birmingham, Alabama and a resident of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023, in Mobile, Alabama.

Joyce was an office manager by trade and owned a crafts shop in Tennessee, but was also an artist, a philosopher, and a spiritual guidance counselor. First and foremost, she was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and a great friend. She led her life with joy and faith and a constant wonder of all things beautiful in art and nature, and in human kindness. Her life took her from Alabama to New England, and then to Memphis, Tennessee where she raised her two girls and made a life for 40 years. She and her husband Tom, of 55 years, retired to Fairhope, Alabama, where she declared that she had “moved to paradise.”

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Elliott Shields, of Fairhope, Alabama, and her granddaughter, Kelly Garada (Said), of Memphis, TN.

Joyce and Thomas met in art class at Auburn University and were married in 1956. She passed along her love for God and family to her surviving children, two daughters, Lauree Shields Riggin (John) of Mobile, Alabama, and Karen Shields Parks (Richard) of Foley, Alabama. The loving family she and Tom started continues with their five grandchildren, Justin Riggin (Courtney) of Kennesaw, GA; Rebecca Riggin Epps (Jay) of Union Grove, AL; Zach Parks (Mandy) of Memphis, TN, and Hannah Riggin Bogedain (Michael) of Auburn, AL. Her legacy will continue through her eight wonderful great-grandchildren, Isabella, Zachary, Thomas, Lucille, Hazel, John Pierce, Elliott and Sam.

Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.