Joyce Smith was born to Henry and Retta (White) Roper on June 20, 1936, in Hebron, Missouri. She went home to be with Jesus on April 6, 2026, in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She was 89 years, 9 months, and 17 days of age.
Joyce was born the seventh in a family of sixteen children. She was saved and baptized at an early age, and she loved and served the Lord all of her life. She attended church in various locations as long as her health permitted.
Joyce was married to Earl Smith on October 22, 1953. Two girls were born to this union, Ellen Kay and Rhonda Jo. She was a housewife and mom to her two daughters while they were in school. Many sleep-overs were held by the girls, with “Mom” enjoying them, possibly as much as the girls. Friends always felt welcome.
As time went on, Joyce became “Granny Joyce” to twenty-one grandchildren. She was always an eager babysitter, game player, spoiler, or whatever made the grandkids happy. Some of their favorite times were when she’d load up whichever grandkids were there and go to McDonald’s or China Grove.
Joyce loved to do embroidery work, and she blessed her family with many beautiful quilts from her work. She taught some of the granddaughters, and they would do embroidery work with her while they were at her house.
Joyce worked at Discount Mart, PN Hirsch, and then spent several years at Dollar General until she retired. She was a hard worker and she loved visiting with the customers.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers, four sisters, two sisters in-law, and six brothers-in-law.
Joyce is survived by two daughters, Ellen Tate (Nolan) and Rhonda Rodgers (Dale); seven grandchildren, Jannine Homer (John), Nathan Goad (April), Chris Rodgers (Natalie), Mindy Bell (Casey), Rebecca Foster (Ty), Alan Tate, and Stephanie Tate; ten great-grandchildren, Hannah VerPloeg (Jamison), Kelsey Hoots (Zach), Emily Goad, Gideon Foster, Eva Grace Foster, Wesson Foster, Abigail Jelken (David), Drew Rodgers (Michaela), Landon Rodgers, and Jace Rodgers; four great-great-grandchildren, William VerPloeg, Rosalie VerPloeg, Halynn Rodgers, and Kaison Rodgers; four sisters, two brothers-in law, and three sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Autumn Oaks Caring Center & Three Rivers Hospice for helping make her last days easier.
