Joanne Richardson Smith

Joanne Richardson Smith, 84, of Charlotte, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 after a five year battle with cancer. She was born on April 25, 1938 in Wilmington, Delaware to Benjamin and Isabelle Richardson.

Joanne graduated from Wilmington High School (Delaware) in 1956. She was a member of the National Honor Society and played drums in the band. After graduation, Joanne joined Atlas Chemical (now AstraZeneca). Married on August 27, 1960, Joanne and Gary moved to Austin, Texas. Other moves included St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Middlesex, New Jersey. Returning to Wilmington, Joanne worked five years for the University of Delaware in solar energy. After moving to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1986, she worked 10 years for the University of North Carolina. The rest of her life was spent in Charlotte where she enjoyed cooking and swimming. With Joanne until the very end, Gary said that she was everything that a husband could want. May she enjoy her next life with family. She fought the good fight.

Joanne is predeceased by her son, Keith Smith; her brother, Benjamin "Skip" Richardson; and her sisters, Janet DiOrio and Carol Caward.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gary Smith; and her daughter, Karen Smith of Tempe, Arizona.

The family will hold private services at a future date.