Joyce Skipper Neely

Published 4:41 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Columbus – Joyce Ann Skipper Dedman Neely, 83, of Columbus, passed away on Sunday evening, February 23, 2025, at White Oak Manor of Tryon.

A native of Polk County, she was the daughter of the late Garner Skipper, Sr. and Bernice Wilson Skipper. Joyce was a graduate of Mill Spring High School and was the valedictorian of her graduating class. Joyce worked her whole career as a medical receptionist, having worked for A.T. Pagter, M.D., for over 30 years and Trel Lowe, P.A., for 10 years. Following retirement, which she never really retired, she worked for 10 years at Steps to Hope Thrift Store in Columbus. She was a lifelong member of Lynn First Baptist Church.

Joyce was a people person and made friends wherever she was. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother and will be sorely missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Garner Skipper, Jr., Ray Skipper and Preston Skipper; four sisters, Emma Lou Ford, Adelina Fowler, Mildred McDaniel and Sue Toney.

Surviving are two daughters, Denise Orr (Russell) of Woodruff and Donna Williams of Columbus; three precious grandsons, Christopher Orr, Daniel Orr and Jacob Williams.

The family will receive friends Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the McFarland Funeral Chapel.

A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral chapel, with Chaplain Robert Ford and Mr. Mark Toney officiating.

Memorials may be made to Steps to Hope, Post Office Box 518, Columbus, North Carolina 28722.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon