Joyce I. Smith

Joyce I. Smith passed peacefully on April 18, 2007 in McLoud, Oklahoma. Joyce, a McLoud resident since 1993, was born in Atascosa County, Texas on September 7, 1931 to J. M. Blackie & Vera May White Smith. Joyce had a life full of tragedy and triumphs starting at an early age when her father was murdered, leaving her mother a widow with a child on the way. Vera was trying to move her daughter and son to Odessa to be with family when the Polio epidemic hit San Antonio where they were. The town was quarantined so Vera put her son in a duffel bag and she and Joyce quietly snuck out of town, finally making it to Odessa to be with family. While Joyce was a waitress in Odessa she met B. W. Joyce and they married shortly after. They had one son and two daughters together, however their marriage didn?t last. Joyce asked Vera to help raise her children and the two worked opposite hours so they could raise the children. Life was difficult at times but there was plenty of Love, Laughter and Togetherness. We learned lots of things from her, our work ethic, sharp wit and most of all are the words of wisdom she gave us. Her path was curvy in places but she handled them as they came. We will miss her and we know she is always with us. Joyce was proceeded in death by her parents, Blackie & Vera May; her brother, Edward A. Smith and her daughter & son-in-law, Elizabeth & William Jouette. Joyce is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Sherry & Jeff Nash of McLoud, OK; son and daughter-in-law, John & Teri Joyce of Arlington, TX; grandchildren, John Shane & Katie Nash of Virginia, Cpt. Raub & Jessica Nash of Kentucky, Shawn Tredway of Texas, Shanna & John Hartsfield of Texas; 5 great-grandchildren and many special friends and neighbors. With a special thanks to Ruby, Angelic Hospice and the McLoud Nursing Center. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Odessa, Texas. Arrangements by Smith-Parks Funeral Service, Harrah, Oklahoma.