Joyce Violet Smith

Joyce Violet Smith, 93, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, died on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at her residence.

Born on Wednesday, September 28, 1932, in Fulghum, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Cleo Morgan and the late Effie Cletis Via Morgan.

Mrs. Smith devoted her life to caring for others. She worked in the school cafeteria, later at Newbern Drugs, and faithfully served as a custodian at First Baptist Church in Newbern. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Newbern, where she belonged to the Dorcas Sunday School Class. Joyce lived her life grounded in faith, kindness, and service to others.

An excellent cook, Joyce lovingly prepared countless meals for her family over the years. Her turkey and dressing and cooked cabbage were treasured family favorites that brought everyone together around her table. 

Joyce found happiness in life's simple pleasures. She loved sharing meals with family and friends, especially enjoying seafood at Red Lobster and catfish and country ham with all the trimmings at Boyette's. She enjoyed rides on the pontoon boat along the Tennessee River and never passed up an opportunity for a girls' outing—where they went mattered little, as long as she was surrounded by those she loved. She was always smiling, always happy, and her cheerful spirit brightened every room she entered.

Funeral services for Mrs. Smith will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Newbern with Bro. Chris Young and Mr. Kris Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until service time on Monday at the church.

She is survived by four sons, Phillip Smith (Shelia) of Newbern, Tennessee, Larry Thomas Smith of Dyer, Tennessee, Billy Gene Smith (Judy) of Dyersburg, Tennessee, and David Neal Smith (Carol) of Dyersburg, Tennessee. She was lovingly known as "MeMaw" to her seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of forty-seven years, James Wilson Smith; brothers, Edsel Morgan and Charles Morgan; sister, Martha Lee Felts; daughter-in-law, Diane Smith and grand-daughter Penny Smith.

Honoring Mrs. Smith as pallbearers will be Doug Smith, Kris Smith, Wesley Smith, Brandon Garner, Wyatt Smith, Trey Starnes, Wilson Smith, Snyder Smith, Lucas Riley, and Aaron Riley. Honorary pallbearers will be David Allen, Ben Allen, Phillip Holland, and Jeremy Garner.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnson-williamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joyce Violet Smith.

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