Dr. Joyce Cosby

Dr. Joyce Cosby, age 73, transitioned on June 15, 2026, in Middleburg, FL. Dr. Joyce Yvette Cosby was born on March 14,1953, in Gainesville, Florida. She is the daughter of Dr. E.A. Cosby and J. Leslie (Parker) Cosby. She grew up In Gainesville, Florida, with her older sister Dr. Leslie Carolyn (Cosby) Edwards and younger sister, Edna Jeanne Cosby. Joyce Cosby is a product of the Alachua County Schools, attending A. Quinn Jones Elementary School and graduating from P.K. Yonge Laboratory School in 1970. A trailblazer from an early age, she was among the first classes of women to attend Princeton University, where she received her Bachelor's degree in biology in 1974. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Meharry Medical College in 1978. After graduating from Meharry, she interned for two years as a Dental Resident at Tacachale Center in Gainesville. Dr. Joyce Cosby entered private practice with her father, Dr. E.A. Cosby, in Gainesville and practiced dentistry for 20 years in Gainesville and Jacksonville, Florida. In 1995, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked in private practice and served as the Dental Director for the Fulton County Jail. In 1985, Joyce married Clarence Harris, a Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) graduate, and raised two sons: William Allen Harris, a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and George Edgar Harris, a graduate of Yale University and New York University (NYU) School of Law. In 2026, she proudly celebrated 50 years in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was initiated in 1976 in the Kappa Lambda Omega Chapter at Meharry Medical College, where she was pinned by her mother, J. Leslie Cosby. She was a charter member of the Mu Upsilon Chapter in Gainesville, and a Life Member of AKA. Community Service was a passion for Joyce. She served as a past president of the Alachua County Branch of the NAACP, was a life member of the organization and received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award in Alachua County. Joyce volunteered in community high schools, encouraging students to excel in math and science and recruiting students for careers in dentistry. She also served as a Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in Southwest Atlanta, recently earning her Doctorate of Commissioner Science. As a BSA leader, she received the Scouter of the Year Award, Silver Beaver Award, and Whitney M. Young Service Award. Professionally, Dr. Joyce Cosby was a member of the Alachua County Dental Association, The Florida Dental Association, the Sunshine State Dental Association, and the National Dental Association. She served as a fellow of the American College of Dentistry. Joyce grew up in Greater Bethel AME Church, the church of her father and Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, her mother's church, which she continued to attend in adulthood when she came home to Gainesville. In Atlanta, she worshipped at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where she faithfully taught Sunday School. She expressed her artistic talents through crafting and quilting, sharing many of her quilts with family and friends who treasured her gifts. She also loved learning and sharing family history. Joyce Yvette Cosby leaves precious memories that will live in the hearts of sons William Harris (Kellee) and George Harris (Katrina); sister, Leslie Carolyn Cosby Edwards: sister-in-law, Diane Harris; nieces, Nia Dalley(David) and Rachel Harris(Amber); nephews, Kwesi Edwards (Yvette), and Darren Harris (Kamilah); uncle, Walter Cosby; beloved cousins, extended family members and cherished friends around the country. She was predeceased by her husband, Clarence Harris; sister Edna Jeanne Cosby; brother-in-law, Glenn Edward; along with her mother and father and several aunts and uncles. Public Visitation and Viewing for Dr. Cosby will be Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Chestnut Memorial Chapel, 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. The Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) "Ive Beyond the Wall" Ceremony will be held immediately following the Public Visitation and Viewing on Saturday, June 26, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Chestnut Memorial Chapel. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, 630 NW 2nd Street, Gainesville, FL 32601, with Public Viewing one hour prior to the funeral service. Please visit the following link to view the livestream of the Funeral Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVxfccvjK1s Resolutions may be emailed to wecare@chestnutfh.com before 5:00 PM on Friday, June 26, 2026. Floral Arrangements can be ordered through this website below or delivered to Chestnut Funeral Home, 18 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601. "A CHESTNUT SERVICE"

Tributes

Dr. Joyce Cosby

March 14, 1953 - June 15, 2026