Obituary: Joyce High
JOYCE HIGH
Ms. Ellen Joyce High, beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, and Nana, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 19, 2026, while at her home in Wichita Falls, Texas. She was 77 years old.
Born on August 27th,1948, Joyce was born to the late Margaret and Marvin Ray Goff of Kinston and raised by the late Lena and Leon Goff, of Kinston.
Throughout her life, Joyce touched many hearts in her community of Kinston. She held various roles, sometimes simultaneously, to support her family. She was a talented seamstress, contributing her skills to Kinston, Albane, and J&R shirt factories. Joyce also worked at Lenoir Memorial Hospital, Pinelawn Cemetery, and Baptist Children's Home, where her dedication and compassion left a lasting impact.
In 2006, Joyce married her lasting love, Charlie High, with whom she shared many joyful years of companionship before his passing in 2020. Together, they embraced retirement, finding joy in social engagements with friends, church, dancing, and assisting Charlie with furniture restoration. Joyce's devotion to her family was unwavering as she cared for Charlie until his passing in 2020.
A devout Christian, Joyce's faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of her life. She served as an active member of Faith Fellowship while living in Kinston, and in her later years at Grace Church of Wichita Falls, TX. Her relationship with her Lord and Savior was paramount and guided her daily life.
A devoted mother, Joyce cherished her family and loved being “Mama” until the end. Always putting others before herself, Joyce checked on family, friends and neighbors daily. A lady of impeccable taste, her home was neat and tidy and she the same detail was evident in her dress and appearance at all times.
In 2023, after the passing of her beloved Charlie, Joyce moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, to be closer to her daughter, Lesley. She cherished her many friendships at Royal Estates Senior Living Community.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Charles M. High in 2020; her sisters, Doris, Louise Hill (Preston) of Kinston; and her brothers, Marvin Goff and James Lee Goff.
Joyce is survived by a brother, Lynwood Goff (Elaine) of Pink Hill; sister, Janice Thompson of Pink Hill; children, Brenda Kornegay (Randy) of Kinston, Jimmy Lee Carter (Rebecca) of Kinston, and Lesley Arena (Robert) of Texas; grandchildren, Bradley, Cassie, Jacob, Archer, and Madeline; and great-grand-child, Bentley.
Funeral Services will be held 2 PM Thursday, January 29th, at the Chapel of Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service in Snow Hill, with Pastor John Robert Harris officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.taylor-tyson.com
