Joyce was born on 18th February 1919 in Winchelsea, the daughter of Richard and Sarah Wood.  Joyce was the second of their six children.  She was christened, confirmed, sang in  the junior choir, and married in Winchelsea Church.  Joyce left Winchelsea Church of England School when she was 14 years old, to train at the Sunshine Nursery in Uckfield to look after children. After looking after 3 different families she joined the Woman’s Royal Air Force to become a nurse in 1941.  She saw service in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cornwall, Devon and finally in Brighton at a Reception Centre for POW’s returning from Germany and Japan.

In December 1943 she married Bert Sheppard, but like many others was immediately separated as he returned to Burma to continue the war effort in the RAF.  Joyce was discharged in September 1945, and Bert returned as soon as the war in Burma ended.
Pam was born in June 1946, and John in August 1948, and after short spells living at Bert’s family home at New England Lane, and Spring Steps in Winchelsea, moved to a new council house at Poppyfield, Playden.  Joyce worked part-time as a home help, in the local hop garden, and doing domestic work at Leasam House Agricultural School.

Sadly, during the late 50’s she lost her sense of hearing and became completely deaf.  There being no cure for the condition, she learnt to lip-read and was remarkably good at it to the point where she could lip-read an accent.  Deafness did not affect her abilities as a Mum – she was devoted to Pam and John and was a wonderful grandmother to Tracy, Andrew, Nick and Melanie, and loved all her great grandchildren.

When Bert’s mother died in the mid 60’s, the family moved from Poppyfield back to New England Lane to look after Bert’s father, and this became her home for over 50 years. Joyce went to Old Hastings House for a four week ‘respite care’ period, during which Bert died, but stayed there for the rest of her life.  She enjoyed her final twelve years at Old Hastings House; she always felt safe, extremely well looked after, and very fortunate to be there, thanks to the Sir Michael Uren Foundation for making it possible.  She would not have reached the amazing age of 101 if it were not for the care provided by Old Hastings House.