Obituary - Joyce Adele Smith

Joyce Adele Smith, age 78, died peacefully on December 20, 2025 and was immediately awakened in the presence of the Jesus that she loved so much. Joyce was born on April 18, 1947 in Richmond, Virginia. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, William Tobias and Ruth Parrish Smith of the Lakeside area of Richmond, Virginia. 

Joyce was a longtime member at Lakeside Baptist Church where she was baptized in July, 1959 at the age of 12. She was also a member of the former Chamberlayne Baptist Church on Wilkinson Road, and later a member of Life Church on Shady Grove Road in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Joyce was an active participant in the Special Olympics earning ribbons, awards, and trophies. She participated on a Bowling Team where she frequently scored a perfect score of 300. She loved attending Camp Rainbow Connection, a week-long respite camp for adults with intellectual disabilities where she stole the hearts of her counselors and made numerous friends. 

Joyce was employed by the Federal Reserve in Richmond and Hanover Industries. She also participated in activities at the ARC of Virginia.

After her father’s death, Joyce resided at the HopeTree Waldbauer Home, a community group home run by Hope Tree Family Services, a Virginia-based faith-related organization providing care for individuals with disabilities which offered Joyce a nurturing, independent-focused living environment with support, skill-building, and community integration. She resided there from 1999 - 2018. 

Joyce relocated to Louisa Rehabilitation and Health Center in Louisa, Virginia in 2018 to be closer to her family. Louisa Rehab provided her opportunities to attend regular worship services, participated in arts and crafts, celebrated birthdays and holidays, playing Bingo, and attending the Annual County Ag Fair. Joyce formed many friendships, and enjoyed the opportunity of playing games with her friends. She loved participating in all the activities that were offered and was considered the “life of the party”. She loved playing Bingo and various card games - Phase 10, Uno, Solitaire. She was well-known for her prowess when playing games. 

Joyce enjoyed people - she never met a stranger. She had deep empathy for people who were suffering hardships. She became close to her fellow residents and showed such compassion when one of them became ill. With each loss of a friend, she would grieve - they were her family. During these times, Joyce would rely on her faith in God to ease her pain. She was a faithful follower of Jesus.

Joyce loved the Christmas season. She loved showering people with gifts and giving her gift wish list to others! When her Dad died on Christmas Day in 1999, the holiday became bittersweet for her. This Christmas is no longer bittersweet, Joyce will be reunited with both of her parents. This will be her best Christmas ever

Joyce leaves behind many cousins and a multitude of friends. She was a wonderful example of a loving, caring person who lived fully with her disabilities and challenges. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.