What is this plant .. full sun .. zone 7 b - Central North Carolina .. 4 to 5 ft tall

This is as close as I've found -- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/pl... [admin fixed link]

Thanks,
Peggy
Live like every day as it is your last because one day -- it will be.
(if I can find who said this, I'll credit that dear Soul -- wasn't me, but it makes a lot of sense)

Can you give us a shot of the whole plant and a close up of the leaves? That will help alot in narrowing down what it is.

Celosia..?

Could it be in the celosia/cockscomb family?

The part we can see sure looks like a Celosia.

This is definitely a cockscomb (celosia).

Cockscomb:

In the second photo, there appear to be some leaves that look exactly like cockscomb.

Thank y'all for the help .... that is right on!

Peggy