Mercer-Adams Funeral Service
Bethany, OK
(permission granted)

Joyce left this earth peacefully, surrounded by her three children, on Saturday, June 27, 2020.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Bill Smith.

She was born March 18, 1930 to Nellie Matkin Phillips and Elmer Phillips.  Growing up, she and her 4 sisters lived and breathed basketball -- so it comes as no surprise that she was one of the OKC Thunder’s biggest fans! She rarely missed a game and loved talking about “her” team to anyone that would listen. 

Joyce graduated Salutatorian from Eureka High School, Bakersburg, Oklahoma, May 19, 1948, before attending Panhandle State University where she met and later married the love of her life, her beloved, William L. “Bill” Smith, on June 10, 1949.  Together they raised 3 children: Ken, Mike and Connie while working side by side in the family business they founded in 1959, Smith Farm & Garden, which continues to this day as a third-generation family operation. 

Joyce was elected as the first woman President of the West Side Lions Club in 1993 – 1994.  She believed in all the values for which that organization stands.  She has been a lifelong member of Northwest Church of Christ, where she was involved in many programs where she felt she could be of service to her community and to her church family.  That was a very important role in her life:  to give back for all the blessings she was so grateful to have received.

Joyce cherished her family and loved spending time with them. While her husband Bill was alive, fishing and family get-togethers at the Lake Texoma cabin were favorite pastimes.  Holidays and birthdays always found everyone gathered to celebrate one another and to enjoy the fellowship, love, and pride we all feel as a family – traits that both Mom and Dad instilled in us – their descendants.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are son, Ken Smith and wife Stephanie of Yukon, OK; son, Mike Smith and wife Ronda of Decatur, TX; and daughter, Connie Stump and husband Kris of Owasso, OK; three sisters, Bettie Ball, Phyllis Steger, and Lois Rogers.  She was also the proud grandmother to six grandchildren: Geoff Smith and wife Cathy, Kimberly Smith Linville and husband Chance, Jacob Stump, Ashley Stump, Jason Smith, and Kelsey Smith.  She also leaves behind 6 great-grandchildren, Austin, Garrett, Ethan, and Ava Smith, and Luke and Dannie Faith Linville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Oklahoma City West Side Lions Club.
 

A “Celebration of Life” service will be held at 2pm Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Northwest Church of Christ, 4301 NW 23 Street, Oklahoma City, OK.  Social distancing will be observed, and masks are preferred.  The service will be recorded and available to view after services conclude.