Joyce Gosnell Stepp, 87, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, of Horse Shoe, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on March 11, 2026 at Pardee Hospital after a long battle with dementia. She was born in Enka, NC, to the late Ralph Rollins Gosnell and Sarah Thomas Gosnell.
Mrs. Stepp graduated from Enka High School. She devoted her life to her family and was most affectionally known as “Nana” to her grandchildren. She was gifted with creativity and enjoyed hosting family gatherings, gardening, floral arranging as well as many forms of crafts and decorating.
Her family was her greatest joy and richest blessing…”A mother is the only person who falls in love with you before you are born, and never stops loving you, no matter what…” Joyce’s legacy of love and kindness will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Along with her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Reggie Hyatt, Jr; brother, Jack R. Gosnell and sisters, Faye G. Deal, Clara Lovingood and Peggy Radford.
There was nothing more important to Joyce than her family. Surviving is the love of her life of 66 years, James C. (Jim) Stepp; her children, Debbie Hyatt Tucker (Tim) and Eddie Stepp, both of Etowah and Lee Stepp (Paula) of Fletcher. Also surviving are the lights of her life, her grandchildren, Kimberly Chitwood (Adam), Trey Hyatt (Kim) and Tiffany Blackwell (Josh); great grandchildren, Katherine Chitwood, William Chitwood, Andrew Chitwood, Kaiden Hyatt, Lexi McMillan (Justin) and Sydney Garvin (Kyle); two great-great-grandchildren, Archer McMillan and Amelia Garvin. She is also survived by one sister, Deane Valentine of Hickory and sister-in-law, Pat Wilde of Hendersonville. She was affectionately known as “Aunt Joy” by her many nieces and nephews.
Services have been POSTPONED until further notice and will be announced.
Jackson Funeral Service is honored to serve the Stepp family.