Joyce Lynn Smith's Obituary
Joyce Lynn Smith, 83, of Bartlett, TN, passed away peacefully at her home Friday evening, November 14, 2025, after a brief illness and went immediately to be in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Born in Memphis on October 26, 1942, Joyce was raised in the midtown area of Memphis. During this time, she was a faithful and active member of Temple Baptist Church and active in the Easter Seals charity. In 1999, Joyce moved to The King's Daughters and Sons Home in Bartlett, where she lived until her passing.
Despite her physical limitations, Joyce was an inspiration to everyone she came into contact with due to her resilient spirit and ebullient personality. She had a great wit and could always make her family and friends smile. Joyce was very strong in her faith in Jesus Christ and lived by the words of her favorite hymn, “Because He Lives”.
She loved her family and for many years, while she was able, delighted them with a call on their birthday and a rendition of “Happy Birthday to You” sung in her own inimitable way.
She was a fan of Memphis sports, supporting the Memphis State Tigers for many years and, in recent years, the Memphis Grizzlies.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Milton Smith and Edweina Kimbrell Smith, her brother Tim Smith and his wife Janice Smith, her sister Jeanne Smith Karakurt and Brother-in-law Terry Phelps. She is survived by her sisters Pamela Smith Phelps and Patricia Smith Foster, her brothers-in-law Stephen Foster and Ozden Karakurt, Sr, and a host of nieces and nephews she loved very much.
Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service honoring Joyce on Tuesday at 1:30 pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis, TN.
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