Joyce “Cat” Vaughn Harjung

On the evening of October 8, 2023, after an aggressive battle with cancer, Joyce passed away surrounded by her family. Joyce was 71 years old. She was born August 4, 1952 to Flora Athene and Joseph Daniel Vaughn.

Joyce was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She grew up at the base of Lookout Mountain as one of twelve children. One of her favorite memories from being a child was recalling visits from the Bookmobile that would come once a week. Joyce was an avid reader her entire life.

After graduating high school when she was sixteen years old, she went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with her Bachelor’s. Through out her lifetime, she provided for her family as a teacher, a realtor, an insurance salesperson, a contracts administrator, and most importantly, as a Mother.

Joyce was passionate about traveling and going to “see what she could see”. She traveled all over the world and most enjoyed visiting National Parks, especially Yellowstone. She was always up for an adventure.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Flora Athene and Joseph Daniel Vaughn, her siblings, Jerry Nelson, Parker Nelson, Fannie Walker, Betty Jo Nelson, Sue Spriesen, Mary Scott, Gayle Stewart, Wilma “Bo” Bennett, and Helen Vaughn.

Joyce was a very loving mother to Shalon Goodwin Bull (Brian), Gary Douglas Goodwin (Veronica), and Sarah Goodwin Newton (Rob). She was a doting grandmother to Jessica Greene (Tyler), Nathan Goodwin, Caroline Bull, Charlotte Bull, and Aidan Newton. She especially loved her only great granddaughter, Lilly.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by her brother Raymond Nelson and sister Pamela Payne (Robert), in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on November 11, 2023 at 2pm at Bethel Baptist Church located at 4068 GA-341, Chickamauga, Georgia 30707.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either The Assistance Fund or the Livingston Public Library.

The Assistance Fund provides financial assistance to help cover medical expenses not covered by insurance. They enabled Joyce to have access to specialty medicine that significantly prolonged the length and quality of her life.

The Livingston Public Library provides numerous community resources, including the access to online books that Joyce thoroughly enjoyed.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/joyce-harjung/obituary/

Copy