Joni Beth Mize

Joni Beth Brannan Mize, age 53, of Duluth, Georgia passed away at Gwinnett Medical Center- Duluth on Monday, July 4, 2011 after complications from a stroke. She was born on December 20, 1957 at Joan Glancy Hospital and grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Joni was preceded in death by her parents James Jimmy Floyd Brannan, Jr. and June Wages Brannan of Lawrenceville and her in-laws Charles and Carol Mize of Tucker. She was the blessed wife of her loving husband Jeffrey C. Mize. Joni and Jeff were married for 27 years. Also surviving is her precious daughter Halston Mize Atlanta, brother JamesJamie Floyd Brannan III, and wife VickieDacula; stepmother Malinda Johnston Brannan Lawrenceville; sister-in-law Susan Mize Sloan and husband Larry Sloan Atlanta; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Chris and Christina Mize St. Petersburg, Florida; Uncles: Joe Shafer Lawrenceville, Johnny Glass Lilburn, Hank Wages Lawrenceville; Aunts: Nellie Brannan, Polly Brannan Judd, Jeanne Brannan Paglee, and Laura Glass; Five nieces and 3 nephews. After graduating from Central Gwinnett Highschool in 1974, Joni attended the University of Georgia receiving a BS in Psychology. After college Joni returned to Lawrenceville to work for Lawrenceville Auto Parts where she was the office manager for some thirty years. After losing her mother to cancer at an early age, Joni became passionate about helping to find a cure for the dreaded disease. She took on the huge task in 1991 of chairing the Crusaders Ball Against Cancer held in Norcross, Georgia and raised thousands of dollars for research. Joni loved life and loved entertaining her friends and family. She loved music, reading, handwork, and creative projects. A favorite event for her every Fall was attending Georgia Tech football games with Jeff, Halston and friends. Her longtime kindergarten through high school friends were a highlight in her life and were devoted till the end when she went to be with Jesus. The nurses and doctors at Gwinnett Medical Center-Duluth Critical Care Unit did an amazing job of caring for Joni and the family will always remember their compassion. A memorial service celebrating Joni's life will be Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 2:00p.m. at Wages & Sons Funeral Home, 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, Georgia. Family will receive friends on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00p.m. at Wages and Sons. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation Healthcare Legacy, 1755 North Brown Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30343 or The American Cancer Society, 6500 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Suite 260, Duluth, GA 30097