Joyce Wood Rector

Joyce Wood Rector of Morganton, NC passed away Saturday, March 12, 2022. She was born August 25, 1936 in Burke County to the late Jerry Manuel Wood and Lilly Mae Gurley Wood. She was of the Christian faith.

Mrs. Rector graduated from Western Piedmont College with a degree in applied science in nursing and a degree in counseling with honors. She also graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in teaching health education. She worked at Valdese Hospital as a head nurse in obstetrics and then as Director of Nurses at Autumn Care in Drexel. Later she was a teacher in Health Education at Freedom High School in Morganton.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her dear husband, Stanley W. Rector; two brothers, Manuel Wood, Jr. and Andy Joseph Wood; and sisters, Lucille Wood, Lucy Vickers, Dorothy White, and Billie Baughman.

Mrs. Rector is survived by a son, Stephen W. Rector and his wife, Mariana; Christina Abagail Murariu who considers herself a granddaughter; sister, Artie Helton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 12 to 1 pm, Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Sossoman Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be at 1 pm, Tuesday, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Revs. Mary and Frank Gordon officiating. Burial will follow at Gibbs Chapel Wesleyan Church Cemetery.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.