In the early morning hours of July 30, 2026, Lesley Diane Goynes went to be with her beloved Savior following a brief but intensive fight with MRSA and sepsis. Lesley always was a fighter, but she was far more about love.

Born on November 15, 1969, to Hilton Lloyd and Donnie Faye (Lawrence) Goynes in Picayune, Mississippi. Lesley graduated from Picayune Memorial High School in 1988. Following graduation, she entered the University of Southern Mississippi and four years later received a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. That was not surprising, as Lesley always had a heart for helping those who struggled in any way. She later attended Southeastern Louisiana University, obtaining a degree in Speech Pathology. Lesley helped innumerable young students learn to overcome speech and learning problems on their way to obtaining successful lives. She accomplished this while teaching at levels ranging from elementary to junior high school. She began her career in her hometown at Nicholson Elementary. Later, she went on to teach at Florida Avenue Elementary in Slidell, Louisiana; Pearl River Central Elementary in McNeill, Mississippi; and Picayune Junior High. 

Lesley's love for children was obvious from her childhood, so it surprised no one when she adopted four girls. They quickly became the center of her life. When six grandchildren came along, her love overflowed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Hilton Lloyd Goynes, and her beloved brother Timothy Lloyd Goynes, and granddaughter Aurora. Lesley is survived by her mother, Donnie Faye Goynes; her sister, Kelly Lousyl Gill (Michael); daughters, Brianna Whitefield, Alyssa Goynes, Olivia Destiny Goynes, and Tabitha Courtney Goynes; nephews, Matthew Coleman Gill, Derek Lee (Anna) Gill, David Conor (Abigail) Gill; and grandchildren, Joseph, Jayden, Jacob, Jena, Jason, and Makenlee.

A celebration of this precious life will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Riemann Family Funeral Home on Three Rivers Road in Gulfport. Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M., preceding the service, which will begin at 2:00 P.M. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. (Coat and tie optional)

Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Rd., Gulfport, MS, is honored to serve the family.