Joyce Carol Owens Tompkins: Tabor City

1943 – 2026

     Joyce Carol Owens Tompkins of Tabor City passed away on Monday, Feb. 23, at Myrtle Beach Manor in Myrtle Beach. She was 83.

     Joyce was born Feb. 5, 1943, in Goldsboro to the late John Gary Owens and Dora Jean Horne Owens.

     Joyce graduated high school and married James Thorval Tompkins on Nov. 22, 1962. She went on to Southwood Junior College from 1968-1970 and soon after, while raising a young son, continued her study at Campbell University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics.

     After a few years of teaching Home Economics and Science in the public school system, Joyce commuted evenings to East Carolina University to complete her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Spending the balance of her career in middle school education, Joyce retired from a rewarding career in 2000.

     Joyce was passionate about sewing, crafting, writing music, and painting all the while teaching others to enjoy these past times. Joyce was the Choir Director at New Hope Friends Meeting in Goldsboro; she continued serving in music ministry at Tabor City Baptist Church in addition to Sunday School teaching and homebound ministry. She was an avid student, researcher and teacher of Biblical Prophecy.

     Joyce is survived by her son James Neil Tompkins and his wife Deborah Lee Tompkins of Myrtle Beach; a sister, Candy Owens Smith of Goldsboro; as well as her grandson, Jared Lee Tompkins of Conway.

     In addition to her parents, Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, James Thorval Tompkins; her two brothers, John Gary Owens Jr. and Carlyle Owens; as well as her sisters Barbara Ruth Owens, Mary Owens Weede and Doris Owens Huffman.

     Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, in Tabor City Baptist Church, with a private burial.

     Visitation was planned for the hour preceding services in the church.

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