Joyce Arnetta Morgan

Remembering Joyce Morgan, a shining soul born in Southland, Arkansas, on January 15, 1950, to the union of Prince Albert Mays and Almeta Mays.

At an early age, she professed her life to Christ and was baptized at Spring Lake Missionary Baptist Church pioneered by Reverend B.J. Simms.

Her spiritual roots started at New Hope International Ministries in Peoria, Illinois under the direction of Bishop Harold and Mattie Dawson. Pastor James and Joyce Morgan left Peoria and pioneered Monument of Hope Church in Carbondale, Illinois. Together they built a dynasty of elaborate teachings that flourished educators, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and pastors. Their legacy continues to infinity and beyond because of their calling to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. After relocating back to Little Rock, Arkansas, she became an active member of Saint Mark Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Phillip L. Pointer, Sr.

Joyce Morgan’s educational foundation started in Southland, Arkansas, where she attended Eliza Miller High School, and graduated from Carbondale Community High School in Carbondale, Illinois. After graduating from CCHS in Carbondale, she attended Southern Illinois University and majored in Nutrition and later in life received her associate’s degree in cosmetology from John A. Logan College.

Joyce Morgan, while in high school, created a love expedition with James Earl Morgan to whom she was married for 45 years. Mother Morgan was also a surrogate mother to many people across the nation.

Mother Morgan’s legacy consisted of family, food, and spirituality. If you had the chance to know her, she was going to share Jesus Christ with you, teach you how to cook, or have your taste buds explode with flavor because of her gourmet dishes, for cooking was her love language. You would never leave her house on an empty stomach.

Joyce Morgan’s sunset arrived on February 19, 2025. She was the fifth daughter of eleven siblings. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Pastor James Morgan, Spencer Morgan (son), John and Sedrick Mays (brothers), and Vera Bates (sister).

She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Keisha Arnetta Morgan and Charity Joyneecha Morgan; three grandchildren: Spencer Damon Morgan, Jr., Jordann Dominque Morgan, and Lauryn Soleil Mulkey; two brothers, Dwayne Mays and Fredrick Mays; five sisters: Delores Caldwell, Esther Bailey, Patricia Ross, Karen Beasley, and Jacqualine Mullins; special godsons: Darryl Caldwell, Carletos Hughlett, Charlie Jones, and Gerard Stephens, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.