The family of Joyce Gosnell Stepp and James “Jim” Charles Stepp invites relatives and friends to gather for a joint Celebration of their Lives on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at two o’clock in the afternoon at the Chapel in the Pines of Jackson Funeral Service with Reverend Dwayne Durham officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the chapel.
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 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…”
James “Jim” Charles Stepp, 91, beloved husband, father and grandfather of Horse Shoe, passed away peacefully from a broken heart, on June 11, 2026 at Pardee Hospital with his children by his side. A native of Henderson County, he was the son of Riley Stepp, Jr. and Agnes Dunlap Stepp.
Mr. Stepp graduated from Dana High School in 1952 and proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman from 1952-1956, receiving an Honorable Discharge. He was an avid golfer, having won many tournaments over the years and was Assistant Golf Pro at Hendersonville Country Club in the 1960s. He later began a career in management in the transportation freight system with Youngblood Truck Lines, ABF Freight System and retiring from TSL Freight System. After retirement he worked at Bryan Easler Ford and Ken Feagan Truck and Trailor. His favorite “post retirement job” was that of being “Papa” to his precious grandbabies.
Along with their parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Jack R. Gosnell and sisters Faye Deal, Clara Lovingood and Peggy Radford. She and Jim were also preceded in death by their son-in-law Reggie Hyatt, Jr.
Joyce and Jim were married for 66 and half years before passing away 3 months to the day of each other. Their legacy of love and kindness will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. There was nothing more important to them than their family.
Surviving are their children, Debbie Hyatt Tucker (Tim) and Eddie Stepp both of Etowah and Lee Stepp (Paula) of Fletcher. Also surviving are the lights of their lives, their grandchildren, Kimberly Chitwood (Adam), Reginald D. “Trey” Hyatt,III (Kim) and Tiffany Blackwell (Josh). Great grandchildren, Katherine, William and Andrew Chitwood, Kaiden Hyatt, Lexi McMillin (Justin) and Sydney Blackwell (Kyle) and two great-great grandchildren, Archer McMillin and Amelia Garvin. Joyce is survived by one sister, Deane Valentine of Hickory and Jim is survived by one sister, Pat Wilde of Hendersonville. They were affectionately known as “Aunt Joy” and “Uncle Jim” by their many nieces and nephews.
Condolences may be sent to the Stepp family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or C/O Jackson Funeral Service 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Please include the name of the deceased on the condolence.