Jocelyn Marie Watts Mitchell

Joycelyn Marie Watts Mitchell

March 2, 1947 – August 12, 2026

Joycelyn Marie Watts Mitchell was born on March 2, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Gurden Watts and Jeanette Lewis Pierre. On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the age of 79, Joycelyn peacefully transitioned from this earthly life at her home in LaPlace, Louisiana.

Joycelyn was a proud graduate of Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans, Class of 1964. She continued her education and later graduated from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, strengthening a spiritual foundation that would guide her throughout her life and ministry.

Her love for God and ministry was evident in everything she did. On June 28, 2002, Joycelyn was ordained as a minister through New Hope Community Church in Kenner, Louisiana, under the leadership of Pastor Mark Mitchell. In later years, she became a member of Voice of Truth Fellowship Church, under the leadership of Pastor Laurie Taylor Parker.

Joycelyn truly loved the Lord and had a heart for serving His people. Following the death of her husband, she turned her personal grief into purpose by founding Grace Over Grief, a ministry created to support, encourage, and uplift widows navigating the loss of a spouse. Her own experience allowed her to minister with compassion, understanding, and sincerity to women experiencing similar journeys.

Her heart for helping others extended far beyond one ministry. Joycelyn also worked with City of Refuge, a drug ministry, as well as New Hope, helping women and men rebuild their lives, regain stability, and move forward with hope. She had an especially large heart for women and was passionate about encouraging them to become stronger, healthier, and more confident in who God called them to be.

Professionally, Joycelyn worked in the insurance field as a claims specialist and also worked in insurance billing at River Oaks Psychiatric Hospital. She brought the same dedication and concern for others into her professional life that she displayed in ministry.

Those who knew Joycelyn knew that she was honest, outspoken, and never afraid to speak her mind. She believed in “keeping it real” and could always be counted on to tell the truth with love. Beneath her directness was an incredibly generous heart. She loved helping people, loved her church, loved her family, and found joy in being a source of encouragement to others.

Her favorite color was yellow, a fitting reflection of the warmth, joy, and light she brought into the lives of those around her.

Joycelyn was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and sister Mable Lewis.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her children, Rodney Watts (Mona), Courtney Mitchell, and Monica Woodley (Derrick); seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; brother, Kevin Lewis; her stepsister, Rosie Jane Walker; and sister, Margaret Lewis; her godchild, Candance Lathers; along with special friends, other relatives, church family, ministry family, and many dear friends.

A celebration of Joycelyn’s life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Zion Baptist Church, 1221 Causeway Boulevard, Jefferson, Louisiana 70121. Public Viewing and Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

Following the celebration, Joycelyn will be laid to rest at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, 11316 River Road, St. Rose, Louisiana 70087.

Joycelyn’s earthly journey was defined by faith, service, compassion, honesty, and an unwavering desire to help others. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy will continue through the lives she touched, the ministries she served, and the family she loved so dearly. Her life was a testimony that even through grief, there can still be grace, purpose, and hope.