Jaquoya "Koya" Katyara Wix

Jaquoya “Koya” Katyara Wix, beloved mother, daughter, sister, wife, granddaughter, aunt and friend, passed away on September 20, 2026, at the age of 34. Born on May 29, 1992, Jaquoya brought warmth, style, glamour, humor, and generosity into the lives of all who knew her.

Jaquoya was someone who embraced life with unmistakable spirit. She loved taking care of herself and took pride in her appearance, always making sure her makeup and hair were impeccably done. She enjoyed taking the extra time to look glamorous, and that sense of confidence and care became part of how so many will remember her. She loved taking selfies, going thrifting, and expressing herself in ways that were joyful and uniquely her own.

Music and creativity were also close to Jaquoya’s heart. She loved to sing and often used TikTok as an outlet for that joy, carefully making each video her own. Whether she was singing for one viewer or one hundred, she made sure she looked her best and gave her full self to the moment. She also loved The Gilmore Girls, happily watching episodes again and again, and she enjoyed The Temptations. In a detail that those who loved her will surely smile to remember, she liked the Chicago Bulls simply because she loved the color red in their uniforms.

Jaquoya was an excellent cook who worked at Chipotle Mexican Grill in Downtown Detroit. She loved her job, and her customers loved her in return. Her care for others could be felt not only in her work, but in the way she lived every day. She was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back, always looking after the people around her with a generous and giving heart.

She was also proud of her heritage and cultural identity. Jaquoya was a Native American Woman’s Traditional Dancer, and she was a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians as well as the Walpole Island First Nation. These connections were a meaningful part of her life and who she was.

Above all, Jaquoya will be remembered for the love she shared with her family. She is survived by her daughter, Kacya Starr; her mother, Samantha Jeanne Muzzey and her father Jason Muzzey; her husband Michael E. Golden and his daughter, Emmalia. She leaves behind her sister, Alicya, and her brothers Anthony, Jason, Jr., and Joseph, III. Her grandfather, Joseph Gorecki, also survives her. In addition, she leaves her nieces and nephews, other loving family members, and many dear friends who will carry her memory forward with love.

Jaquoya was preceded in death by her grandparents and her father Joseph Gorecki

Those who knew Jaquoya knew a woman who cared deeply, gave freely, and lived vividly. Her beauty, her voice, her kindness, and her unmistakable presence will be missed beyond words, but remembered with enduring love. 

Memorial contributions to honor her life may be made to the family through their gofundme link. Click Here to Donate