Joni Sims Pilcher, 85, of Atlantic Beach passed away peacefully on Monday, April 9, 2018. She was born in Montgomery, Alabama, one of 6 sisters.
Joni was very adventuresome. She joined the Navy during the Korean War when she was only 19 and was accepted into Photography School. She was stationed in Pensacola, Florida where she photographed the pilots and their planes, as well as the naval base, Navy life and the surrounding area, eventually, she was assigned to Jacksonville, Florida at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. She was honored to serve and enjoyed her time in the military very much.
Joni met her future husband, Walter Pilcher, Jr. while she was stationed in Jacksonville. They went on to marry in May 1955 and had 3 children, moving to Atlantic Beach along the way. Joni became a stay at home mom and provided her children with the best childhood ever.
Joni enjoyed technology, reading, coffee, crossword puzzles, painting, needlepoint, cooking, creating jewelry, hiking in the mountains, walks on the beach at sunrise and of course, photography. She never stopped learning and creating. Joni was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be missed every day.
Joni is survived by her 3 children and 7 grandchildren: Mark (Trudy, children Laban and Isaac), Jan (Rick Fowler, children Jarrod and Jordan), Jerry (Debbie, children Emily, Reed and Alex), her beloved sister, Rebecca "Suzy" Kowalsky; and many loved nieces, nephews, friends and family. She is predeceased by her husband Walter Pilcher Jr. and four sisters, Helen, Jerry, Peggy and Patricia.
Military funeral services will take place at the Jacksonville National Cemetery in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations to Community Hospice would be appreciated.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach.