Joyce Ann "Jo" Amaker

Joyce Ann Amaker, 80, affectionately known as Jo, of Owings, Maryland, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief but hard-fought illness.

Born on March 19, 1946, Joyce was raised on a farm in Bristol, Maryland, now known as Lothian, with her maternal grandparents, Hillary and Lillie Moreland, alongside several of her cousins. She attended Tracy’s Elementary School and Southern Junior/Senior High School, graduating in 1964. That same year, she married Robert Nelson Amaker, Sr.

After her children started school, Joyce worked alongside her sister Sue at the People’s Drug Store administrative offices in Washington, D.C. In 1975, she joined Prince George’s County Public Schools in the Employee Services/Benefits Office, where she served until her retirement in 2008.

Joyce was a member of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro for more than 60 years. She taught Sunday school there for 32 years, and many of her students were children of family and friends. She enjoyed shopping, traveling, holiday dinners, attending family sporting events, especially for her great-grandchildren, and spending time with the people she loved.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert, her daughter, Debora Sines of Middletown, Maryland, her sister, Robin Zirnhelt of Lothian, Maryland, her granddaughters, Brittany Amaker (Richard) of Leonardtown, Maryland, Samantha Amaker (Drew) of Baltimore, Maryland, Victoria Sines of Astoria, New York, and Savannah Sines of Frederick, Maryland. She cherished her time with her granddaughters and great-grandchildren: Kamdyn Amaker and Kinsley, Kimber, and Korbyn Moore. The greatest joy of her life was being Mamaw to all her grands, and they brought her so much happiness. She is also survived by her niece and goddaughter Amber Jacobs (Chuck) of Dunkirk, Maryland, and nieces Christina Cox-Franklin (Tami) of Gambrills, Maryland, and Nickole Darden (Tim) of Rowlett, Texas, her nephews Todd Cox (Maria) of Lothian, Maryland, Jim Dorsey (Denise) of Prince Frederick, Maryland, and her beloved cousin Karen Dupree who she loved like a daughter, and her family. She was godmother to Karen’s son Christopher.

She was preceded in death by her son, Robert Nelson Amaker, Jr. (Bobby); her mother and stepfather, Marguerite and Teddy Cox; her brothers, Teddy Cox, Jr, and  William “Billy” Cox; her sister Linda Sue Dorsey; and her brother-in-law, Michael Zirnhelt.

Joyce will be missed and fondly remembered by all whose lives she touched forever.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joyce’s name may be made to First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.