Obituaries
The Hon. Joyce Cassandra Broffitt was born on September 20, 1955, in Covington Tennessee. She departed this life on August 23, 2024, and was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Broffitt and her brothers James Kenneth Broffitt and Howard Natali Sanford. Joyce leaves to cherish her loving memory: her siblings Samuel Broffitt (Linda) of Arlington Tennessee, Michael Broffitt (Lilly) of Kissimmee Florida, the Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Baldwin of Kosciusko Mississippi, Michelle Sanford of Nashville Tennessee and Juana Sanford Fleary of North Chesterfield Virginia; her many nieces and nephews and her niece Kimberly Nicole Broffitt, who was more like her daughter. Although she did not have any biological children or grandchildren, her great-niece Taelyn Lyons was like a granddaughter to her. She also leaves to cherish her goddaughter, Britney Hughes, a special friend, Clarence Dowell and a host of other relatives and friends.
Judge Broffitt was born and raised in Tipton County, Tennessee. Growing up, she was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mason, Tennessee. She attended Fields Elementary School. She was a 1973 graduate of Covington High School. From 1973 to 1977, Joyce continued her education at Rhodes College (formerly Southwestern at Memphis) where she had a major in psychology. From 1982 to 1986 she attended the Cecil C Humphrey school of law where she obtained her juris doctorate with academic honors.
Joyce has quoted that her "experience in law school was one of the highlights of her life".
While in law school, Joyce worked as a pretrial counselor with Shelby County pretrial services from 1983 to 1988. In 1987, she was admitted to the Tennessee Bar. From 1989 until 1996 she served as the assistant district attorney for Shelby County District Attorney's Office. In 1996 she was appointed by the Shelby County commission as criminal court judge for general sessions division nine to serve out the rest of judge Ingram's term.
Subsequently, she was reelected to that position two times until her retirement in August
2014. She also served as the judge for the Tennessee court of the judiciary.
In addition to her outstanding career accomplishments in law, she was extremely involved in the community. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc.; she served on the Board of Trustees for Rhodes College from 1997 until 2003; and she served on the
Board of Directors for youth villages from 2001 until 2010. In her spare time, she enjoyed grilling food and spending time with her family.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 30 at 10 a.m. with public visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. at Serenity Funeral Home, 1638 Sycamore View Rd. in Memphis. Interment will be immediately following at the Doggett Family Cemetery in Mason, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers per Joyce's request, in memory of her, family asks that you send your gifts to St. Jude Children's Hospital, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Rhodes College or Youth Villages.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901)379-0861
Previous Events
Visitation
30
Aug
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Service
30
Aug
1638 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Cemetery Details
Location
TN-59 N
Mason, TN 38049
