Joan Oxley Meserve of San Antonio, Texas passed away on June 11, 2024 surrounded by her children who loved her so much. Joan grew up in Fernandina Beach, Florida where her parents, Margaret and Mac Oxley owned the Oxley Mortuary. Joan had precious memories of her extended family and especially her great-grandparents George (G.C.) and Martha Burgess who raised her during her earliest years. As a 6-year old, Joan would walk down the sidewalk of Atlantic Avenue to bring G.C. his lunch. And at that tender age she was also a primary caregiver for Martha - a source of comfort and love. This was an early established pattern for Joan Oxley; she cared deeply about others and had a servant’s heart.
Fernandina Beach was a wonderful place to grow up, but Joan wanted to see the world. She graduated from Fernandina High School (Salutatorian) and went off to the University of Florida where she studied Art and English Literature. Throughout her life, Joan was a talented painter and many of her works grace the homes of her children and grandchildren. It was in Gainesville that she met her future husband, Edward Meserve. Ed was commissioned as an Army Lieutenant upon graduation and together they set off to see the world and build a family.
Imagine being a new mother with your first newborn baby in a bassinet being shown to your seat made of parachute webbing on an Army transport plane bound for Japan. No windows, no pressurization, no air conditioning – just the steady drone of engines and the knowledge that another few hours had passed when the crew brought another cheese sandwich. Many days spent crossing the Pacific Ocean and landing on islands to refuel along the way. That is the kind of adventure Joan experienced, and loved, as a young Army wife.
And see the world she did. California, Japan, Ohio, North Carolina, Maryland, California, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Colombia, Florida, Nicaragua, Virginia, Nicaragua, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas were the places she lived - and 33 different houses in the process. She was a teacher, a business owner, a floral arranger, a wreath maker, and an accomplished cook who took it upon herself to study and master the preparation of cuisines from around the world.
Family came first for Joan from start to finish. She raised three fine children and imbued them with an appreciation for the world that we live in, and of the many cultures that make it up. She was an optimist who chose to cheerfully look on the bright side of life. Hers was a life extremely, extremely well-lived. Her family celebrates Joan and her life - daughters Pamela (Tom) and Stephanie (Jim) and son Norman (deceased), and grandchildren who will go through life with a warm ember of “Grammy” warming them inside – Marcella (Beau), Daniella (Kim), Matthew, Barry, Steven and Michael. And at last count, there are 14 great-grandchildren who will come to know the gift that was Joan.
It is so fitting that Joan has come home to Fernandina Beach for her final rest in Bosque Bello surrounded by her family. She saw the world, she changed the world through the people she touched, and she came home.
The family will receive friends Friday, June 21, 2024 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors from 5:00 until 7:00 PM.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. She will laid to rest with her husband and parents at Bosque Bello Cemetery.