Joyce Marie Smith's Obituary
Joyce Marie Smith’s last quiet words on this earth were to her daughter and grandson, a promise and comfort taken from the Bible: “We give up the body to be present with the Lord.”
That assurance came from Corinthians: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)
Nothing meant more to her than that she and everyone else would live in the love of Jesus. The book shelf beside her bed was filled with Bibles and Christian books that she could reach during nights when she couldn’t sleep and in the morning when she awoke.
Her favorite verse and one she quoted often reflected her own path to salvation. It was from Peter’s sermon during Pentecost, a day when the Holy Spirit appeared in cloven tongues of flame and those present began to speak in languages that were not their own.
The verse came from Acts 2:38: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” She believed only baptism in the name of Jesus could truly save, and she wished everyone to have the infilling of the Holy Ghost that came with the Pentecostal experience of speaking in tongues. Those two holy moments had freed her from guilt and shame, giving her new life.
A person of great generosity who shared her home and whatever resources she had with her family, Joyce had received no greater gifts than those of the Spirit. Naturally she sought to share them.
Born on the Fourth of July, she was a woman of great style, wit and beauty. Far into life, she continued to turn heads. In old age she remained so beautiful that men still admired her and women often said, “I hope I’ll look like that when I’m old.”
She never spoke of her own beauty or intelligence. Instead she talked about how beautiful and brilliant others were. She held no grudges against those who wronged her and rarely spoke ill of anyone. She was interested in everything, up for every adventure and always eager to listen. Her wisdom was deep and penetrating.
She especially loved a love story. Anyone in love could be assured of her support. Whether they were falling into love or falling out of it, she was there to cheer them on.
Her late husband, Jerry, her daughter, Cheryl, and her grandsons, Kyle and Kory, were the great loves of her own life. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for them.
She is survived by daughter, Cheryl Thompson; grandson Kyle Thompson and his wife, Elona;, grandson Kory Thompson; her sisters, Christine Robinette and Yvonne Greber; and many nieces and nephews. They will all miss her, continuing to quote her and tell wonderful stories about her for as long as they live.
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