Joyce Higham

Joyce Huneycutt Higham, 87, died at her home in Oakboro, NC, on Monday, January 13, 2025.
She was born on May 13, 1937, in Stanfield, North Carolina, to the late Lonnie and Eunice Huneycutt.
Joyce is predeceased by her husband, Donald Gilbert Higham of 54 years.
She is survived by her three children: Larisa Thompson (Dan) of Oakboro, NC, Krysta Arabudzki (Tom) of Nashua, NH, and Joseph Higham (Terri) of Lancaster, SC. Grandchildren include Josie Thompson of Raleigh, NC, Hunter Thompson of Charlotte, NC, Ella and Grace Higham of Lancaster, SC, Katja and Nikolaj Arabudzki of Nashua, NH. Stepgrandchildren include Andrew Thompson (Marleny) of Gmund, Germany, Jennica Lynch (Daniel) of Columbus, OH, Joshua Haller of Columbus, OH, and Jacob Haller (deceased). Lily and Liam Lynch of Columbus, OH, are great-stepgrandchildren.
Joyce received her BA degree in education from Wake Forest College. After graduation, she taught English in Forsyth and Rowan counties before relocating to Northern Virginia (NoVA) where she taught an additional five years.
She raised her children with Donald in Springfield, Virginia, and was a devoted and loving stay-at-home mother during the early formative years. Joyce went back to work at a community newspaper in the greater NoVA area and was employed by the Federal Government for many years.
Joyce credited her mother and paternal grandfather with fostering in her a love of language. She experimented in many genres and used her writing to "clarify her thinking and to more fully understand who she is and what she values."
She surrounded herself with her treasured books and enjoyed conversations around her latest reads. Often, she would transcribe notes for later references for her own personal writings.
She deeply loved her husband, their children and their spouses, and her grandchildren. A beloved Mimi and grandmother, the fulfillment of her and Donald's love is reflected in their family. Joyce's legacy lives on through the stories she told and the memories her family will forever cherish.
The family is being served by Stanly Funeral Home in Locust, and a private celebration of life will be held later.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to or supporting your local public library.
To live in this world, you must be able to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.
-Mary Oliver