Joyce Taylor Smith

Joyce was born at Clarksdale General Hospital on April 27, 1942, to Louis Grenville Taylor and Myrtis Evelyn Bailey Taylor, the middle of three daughters—five years younger than her sister Myrtis Evelyn Taylor and seven years older than her sister Claudia Agnes Taylor. She graduated from Lambert High School in 1960, marking the beginning of a life defined by steady devotion to family, faith, and the quiet strength of daily work.

She was joined with Marcos in Holy Matrimony on December 13, 1960, and later joined with Ric in Holy Matrimony on August 24, 1991. Washed in the Water of Baptism on March 19, 1971, Joyce remained steadfastly involved with her church throughout her life, including her participation in the Catholic Daughters—service that reflected a reverent spirit and a sincere care for others.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her maternal grandparents, John Will Bailey and Lulla Agnes Heflin Bailey; her paternal grandparents, John Henry Taylor and Claudia Lee Denley; her sister, Myrtis Evelyn Taylor; and her two children, Michael and Margarita.

She is survived by her five children: daughter Desiree and her husband Jeffery; son Marcos, Jr and his wife Debra; daughter Ana Maria (Jita) and husband Lewis; daughter Alegria (Gria) and her husband George; and her son Carlos. She is also survived by her two step sons, Jeremy and his wife Jana, and Brian; as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In her working life, Joyce brought diligence and reliability to everything she did. Joyce started working at Southwestern Bell in 1973 then transferred to Houston in 1977. SWB became AT&T. In 1981 she started as a Line Technician which was highly unheard of at that time for women. She worked for AT&T for about five years and served as a bookkeeper for almost 60 years for several companies—work that spoke to her careful attention, perseverance, and deep sense of responsibility.

To many, Joyce was better known as Mom or Nanny, a presence remembered for warmth and welcome. She was a gifted ceramic maker who kept a shop in her home and created countless beautiful pieces, each reflecting patience, skill, and pride in craftsmanship. She also loved to write, especially poems; one written about her oldest daughter Desiree was published, a lasting testament to her heartfelt way with words.

Joyce was a light to all who encountered her, known for her smile and the unmistakable joy she carried when she was with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be truly missed by all who were blessed to know and love her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Brookside Funeral Home - Champion, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068, on October 17, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Eternal Internment will be at Lambert Cemetery in Lambert, Ms, on April 17, 2027.