Mary West Justice, age 96, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, Mary was born on March 28, 1930, to the late John Dallas West and Cleo Belle Clark West. She was a woman of deep faith, gentle spirit, and steadfast devotion to her family, her church, and her Lord. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Charles Joseph Justice, who passed away in 2008; her brothers, Ray, John, and Ed West; and her sister, Ruth Clark.

Mary was a proud 1948 graduate of Fines Creek High School and was the last surviving member of her graduating class. Her life was rooted deeply in her Christian faith. She was a lifelong Baptist and, throughout the years, worshiped with the congregations of Junaluska Baptist Church, Fines Creek Baptist Church, and Antioch Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member for 18 years.

Mary found joy in the simple, beautiful things of life. She loved flowers and houseplants and could often be found tending to her flowers each day. She had a special love for children and delighted in holding them, caring for them, and simply spending time with them. She was a loving presence in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, helping to care for them and treasuring every opportunity to be together.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. Mary read through her Bible every year until her eyesight began to fail, and she was known by those around her as a true prayer warrior. Her greatest desire was to share the love of her Lord and Savior with others and to lead people to Christ. She lived her faith not only through her words, but through the kindness, care, and love she showed to those around her.

Mary was also a wonderful cook who took pleasure in preparing good food for her family. She especially enjoyed making desserts and preserving vegetables through canning. In so many ways, her home and her kitchen became places where love was shared and memories were made.

Mary leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith and family. She is survived by her children, Nora Daphene J. Miller; Doris J. Meadows (Mike); Troy Justice (Janice); and Doyle Justice, all of the Iron Duff community; grandchildren, Nathan Justice, Andrea Justice, Merrie Belle Rich, and Angela Greene; great-grandchildren, Jackson Justice, Bryson Justice, Thomas Wayne Worley, Leland Gentry, Katie Clark, Lawson Rich, Joseph Greene, Matthew Greene, and Jacob Greene; and her great-great-granddaughter, Addie Joann Worley.

Though her family will deeply miss her presence, they can find comfort in knowing that Mary lived the life she believed in and has now gone home to the Savior she loved and served so faithfully.

A service to honor and remember the life of Mary will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, August 29, at Antioch Baptist Church with Pastor Josh Blight, Barry Willett, and Rev. Dr. Gary Hearon officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. prior to the service. Committal services will follow at Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mrs. Justice’s memory to the Antioch Baptist Church Children’s Program, 542 Iron Duff Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to her devoted caregivers, Doris and Daphene, as well as the many friends, neighbors, and members of her church family who surrounded Mary with love, kindness, and concern throughout her later years. Their care meant so much to Mary and to her family.

The care of Mrs. Justice has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.