Dr. Joye Jeffries Pugh was born in Ocilla, Georgia to the proud parents of Claude Bert and Stella Elizabeth 9Paulk) Jeffries. Joye is married to Melville Eugene Pugh and they reside in Douglas, Georgia. Dr. Pugh was an Honor graduate of Irwin County High School. She holds an Associate Degree in Pre-law from South Georgia Colleg, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education from Valdosa State University, a Master of Education Degree in Guidance Counseling/Psychology from Valdosta State University and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

In 1976, Joye became a true writer and poet when a close friend published a limited edition of her work entitled "COLOURS OF JOYE". Dr. Pugh was awarded the "Golden Poet Award" in 1988 and her work was featured in "The New American Poetry Anthology." In 1989, Joye's poetry and biography was published in "From The Poet's Pen," Volume One. Dr. Pugh's work has also appeared in The Georgia Poet, The Society of American Poets, Parnassus, The Coffee Cup Magazine, The Douglas Enterprise, and The Ocilla Star. Her most memorable poem was published on May 8, 1999 when The Douglas Enterprise selected her mother as "Mother Of The Year" from the poem Joye submitted entitled "Mother Stella."