Joan (Pelfrey) Smith

Joan (Pelfrey) Smith age 85, departed this earth on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Mt. Pleasant Retirement Village, Monroe, Ohio with her loving children and grandchildren at her side. She was born in Hazard, Kentucky on March 31, 1932, the daughter of Fleda and Wesley Braden.

Joan was a graduate of First Creek High School in Hazard. She was married to Shelby Pelfrey 24 years until his untimely death in 1971. She was employed in the cafeteria at Oneida Elementary School and then the dietary department of Middletown Hospital until her retirement in 1997. Joan, called JoAnn, was a lifelong member of the Yankee Road First Church of God. She is survived by her five children, Darrell (Belinda) Pelfrey, Trenton OH, Deborah (Dale) Weber, Franklin, OH, Douglas Pelfrey, Middletown, OH, David (Karen) Pelfrey, Trenton, OH and Heather (Brian) Brooks, Middletown, OH. She is also survived by six grandchildren and spouses/partners and nine great-grandchildren: Jennifer (David) Swartzel, daughters Drew and Jordyn; Bryan Pelfrey, daughters, Tayler and Kaley; Ashley (Geoffrey) Weber-Struggles and children, Caleb, Nolan, Sloan, Dylan; Carly Pelfrey (Eric Barlow); Samantha (Michael) Roehm, and son Barrett; and Morgan Brooks as well as many devoted nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shelby, her parents, her loving grandparents who helped raise her, Virgil and Gertrude Manning, and her three siblings, Carolyn Braden Bailey, Wesley Braden and Billie Lois Braden Burgess.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at Breitenbach Anderson Funeral Home, 517 S. Sutphin St., Middletown, OH followed by the funeral on Monday, January 22 at 11:00 am at the Yankee Road First Church of God, 3029 Yankee Road, Middletown, OH with Pastor Kevin Collins officiating. Interment will follow at Butler County Memorial Park, Trenton, OH.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Yankee Road First Church of God, 3029 Yankee Road, Middletown, OH 45044 for bequeath in her memory or to a charity of your choice.

Our mother's life was beautiful, softened at the edges, and tempered with a spine of steel. Her love and strength will be sorely missed. May she and Dad, finally and together, rest in peace.

Please visit www.breitenbach-anderson.com to send an online condolence.