October 25, 2025, 66, Goldsboro —-
Joyce Faye Kelly Jernigan, at the age of 66, went to be with the Lord Saturday morning, October 25, 2025, following an accident. Little did she know that her working for God at her church’s harvest event that day would enable her to behold His presence.
Funeral services at which to remember Joyce’s Christian walk with God will be Wednesday, October 29, at 6 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive. Officiating at the service will be Pastors Wayne Goff, Eddie Hatcher, and Kelvin Gurley. Visitation will immediately follow the service. Committal rites with burial will be Thursday, October 30, at 1 p.m. in Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive. Flower are welcome, or to enhance Joyce’s outreach ministry, contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Outreach Ministry, c/o Belfast Pentecostal Holiness Church, PO Box 1619, Goldsboro, NC 27533.
Joyce furthered her high school education by obtaining an associate degree in both arts and science from Wayne Community College, and a bachelor degree in early childhood education from the University of Mount Olive. She had served as the day care director at Woodland Methodist Church Day Care Center at Albertson until her retirement, and she continued her passion with teaching and loving the children as a volunteer. In earlier years, Joyce had operated a christian book and novelty shop in Mount Olive.
Joyce was a Godly woman who worshipped at Belfast Pentecostal Holiness Church for the past few years. Prior to that, she had found fellowship at several churches in the Mount Olive area. She loved singing unto the Lord, as she and her siblings joined their voices in harmony, being the Kelly Family singers.
She is survived by her beloved son, Steven Jernigan, of Dudley; six of her siblings and their spouses, Jean Kelly of Grantham, Walter “Junior” Kelly, Jr. and Bernice Kelly of Seven Springs, Larry Kelly and Vickie Kelly of Grantham, Bruce Kelly and Patricia Kelly of Mount Olive, Sue Kelly of Mount Olive, and Danny Kelly of Fayetteville; another sister she obtained through love and God’s goodness, Becky Thornton of Goldsboro; and many nieces and nephews.
Joyce was preceded in death by a daughter, Melissa “Missy” Faye Smith; her father, Walter James Kelly, Sr.; her mother, Iris Helen Whitfield Kelly Jones; step-father, Wilbert F. “Bill” Jones; a sister, Carolyn Kelly Lane; and husband, Jimmy; and a brother, Roscoe Kelly and wife, Lillie Faye Kelly; her former husband, Steve Jernigan; and several nieces.
