Joyce Marie (Smith) Holloway

She was born on June 9, 1933 to Vera Dixon Smith and Cournel Radford Smith in McComb, Mississippi.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Holloway; her parents; and her brothers, Millard E. Smith of Baker, Louisiana and Paul A. Smith of McComb, Mississippi.

Joyce is survived by her children, John Keith (Ellen) Holloway of Spring, Texas; Karen (William) Blaylock, Kathryn (Wm. Troy) McHenry, Kerrie (Charles) Byrd, all of Mobile, Alabama; grandchildren Sloan and Carson Blaylock, Graham and Sarah Byrd, Jay Holloway and William McHenry; and her sisters, Helen Aline Wells of Mobile, Alabama and Mary Lanelle Ward of Jackson, Mississippi.

Joyce attended Fernwood High School in McComb, Mississippi, where she graduated as valedictorian and excelled in vocal and piano studies. After marriage Joyce fully dedicated her time and energy to her children and her church until her husband, John, and she partnered with their minister to buy a Christian bookstore in Tifton, Georgia which Joyce would operate. She countered her fears of reentering the workforce after twenty years with what she saw as an opportunity to serve God while serving their customers. She met the challenge of operating a bookstore 45 miles from her home whose fairly small storefront belied the extent of operations inside. She worked with local churches to provide printed materials ranging from Bibles to Sunday School literature to hymnals. She used her musical talents to demonstrate and sell pianos, organs and choral music. Joyce was store display designer, sales manager, purchasing agent, accountant, customer service representative, a true Chief Operating Officer.

She accomplished it all in the pre-computer era when everything was done by hand with pen and paper. Joyce was following in the footsteps of her parents who owned a general store in McComb which her mother operated on her own after her husband died when Joyce was seven. Her mother was proud of Joyce. Her father would have been as well.

She had a passion for music, especially singing and playing the piano. Having moved many times in her life due to her husband’s career, she served as pianist or organist and soloist at churches she attended throughout her life. She was an excellent Sunday School and Bible study teacher who liked to prepare while sitting by the window and immersing herself in God’s Word for hours at a time, even though her children were convinced she could recall the Scriptures at will. She would peek up from her Bible to look out at the birds that she so loved to watch flutter by. Her children were convinced she had an encyclopedic knowledge of birds and would call her whenever an unknown species was spotted. Having been gifted with two pet birds, she loved to serenade them with melodies on the piano as they chirped along. Along with birds, Joyce loved words whether in challenging crossword puzzles, the pages of a mystery, or the sports section of the newspaper during football season.

While time spent in God’s service was her ultimate past time, time spent with family was second on her list of pleasures. She was filled with joy simply watching and listening to her family’s conversations and laughter that surrounded her at gatherings. Family games nights were never short on giggles and new memories, especially when the grandchildren could convince Memere to join in on the fun!

Joyce was a true example of the impactful and meaningful life that is led when one lives by, for, and through God. She exhibited unconditional love, forgiveness, the importance of being a trusted confidante. She had real enthusiasm in the lives of her children and grandchildren and reveled in their passions and interests. Her support and pride in the accomplishments of children and grandchildren were always readily expressed. Driven by her desire to please the Lord, she lived her life as a reflection of God’s love through her treatment of everyone she encountered. Her hands were never too full to hold another pair in need.

She leaves behind a legacy of faithfulness to God, her family and her friends. Her kind eyes accompanied a radiant smile that wrapped you in absolute love. Her love overflowed her heart and spread to those who were blessed to know her.

The family will receive friends on Saturday August 17, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at City Church of Mobile, 3750 Michael Blvd. Mobile, AL followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Bayview Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

Suggested memorial donations: Sacred Heart Hospital Foundation in support for S-ICU/Neurosurgery; Covenant Care Hospice at Providence Hospital; Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) ChildHope program.