The Keep Jones County Beautiful Commission paid tribute to a woman who was not only an avid gardener, matriarch and community supporter but a trailblazer for all businesswomen.
Joyce Conn is the 2026 Arbor Day tree dedication recipient.
A Redbud Tree was planted in her honor Feb. 20 in celebration of Arbor Day and all the recipient’s contributions that include being a longserving member of the Gray Garden Club and Oliver Morton Chapter of the DAR.
The ceremony was led by Keep Jones Beautiful Director Mallory Tidwell, and the event was hosted by Conn Realty. The Redbud Tree was planted in front of the Conn Realty office on the slope facing Gray Highway so its beauty can be shared.
Joyce joins those before her who were recognized for their contributions at the annual Arbor Day event, including Linton Jordon, Mary Ann Hamrick, Nancy Pace, Judy Webb and Sandy Goolsby to name just a few.
Those who attended the event had their choice of camellias or tea olive trees provided by the Conn family.
Joyce Conn was born in 1932 and was 92 when she died Jan. 1, 2025. She graduated from Jones County High School in 1949 and earned her real estate broker license in 1965.
Conn Realty was opened in 1978, making Joyce one of the first women to own a business in Georgia. She was also a community leader. That included being a charter member of Jones County Pilot Club, Jones County Rotary Club and past chairman and charter member of the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce.
Her talents and interests included playing the piano, and she was the pianist at New Salem Baptist Church for more than 15 years.
Joyce was a member of the Macon Board of Realtors and loved Georgia Bulldog football, but she would quickly say that she was most proud of her family. Joyce was a mother of six children, grandmother to 13 and great-grandmother of six.
Arbor Day history
The first Georgia Arbor Day was proclaimed by the Georgia General Assembly in December of 1890. In 1941, the General Assembly set the third Friday in February as the day of the state Arbor Day.
National Arbor Day is the third Friday in April, which is too warm to plant trees in Georgia. Trees planted in mid-March have a better chance of becoming established before the onset of summer heat. Every tree planted helps clean the air and water, beautify neighborhoods, provide homes for wildlife, conserve energy, and prevent soil erosion.
