Mary Cornelia Joyce Forbes, known to her friends and family as Neely, was born in Winston-Salem, NC, on May 28, 1931, to Wallace Harvey Eugene Joyce and Margaret Glenn Joyce. She made her transition to life eternal on Thursday, February 22, 2018.

She matriculated through the Winston-Salem Public Schools and earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina A & T State University, where she was a member of the band and was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Her teaching career spanned 39 years, including positions in Warsaw, NC; Pittsburgh, PA; Cleveland, OH; and the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Schools, from which she retired in 1992. During her years in the W-S/FC Schools, she endeared students at Atkins High School, Mt. Tabor High School, Jefferson Junior High School and Paisley High School.

She served as the church organist at St. Paul United Methodist Church for years and later shared her musical talents with a number of local churches, including Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, St. Mark Lutheran Church and Grace Presbyterian Church, where she most recently worshipped.

Neely was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Eva Joyce, Elizabeth Joyce Kimber and Margie Joyce Scarborough; two parents-in-love; four brothers-in-love; two sisters-in-love; and her steadfast husband of 46 years, Frizzell L. Forbes.

Left to celebrate her memory are a loving daughter, Pia Forbes; three devoted nieces, Claudette Boyd, Brenda Edge (Carl) and Merilyn Lockett; three nephews, Mike Scarborough, Barry Kimber and Conrad Forbes Jr. (Mary); 11 great nieces and nephews; 14 great-great nieces and nephews; one great-great great nephew; extended family; and countless friends who were family in her heart.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00pm Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Donald Jenkins officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 2:00pm until 3:00pm on Wednesday at the Church.