Joy Dell Smith Savell passed away at her daughter’s home in St. Francisville, Louisiana on the evening after her 90th birthday. She had enjoyed some cake and ice cream from her birthday an hour before. She passed gently, cradled in her daughter Denise’s arms.
Joy was born in McKenzie, Alabama to her parents, Rufus and Nellie Smith. A daughter of the Depression, Joy and her family moved often in her father’s search for work. The family finally settled in Eight Mile, Alabama.
In 1948, Joy met Joseph Savell, the man who would become her husband, and the brightest star in her constellation. They married in 1949 and settled in Eight Mile. There she and Joe constructed the home in which they would raise their family and spend their entire lives together until Joe’s passage in 2016. They were devout members of Myers Memorial Baptist Church, a fellowship that was deeply important to them and their children. They were married sixty-seven years, rarely spending a night apart. Theirs was a love story of many chapters.
Joy and Joe were blessed with four children: Joseph Bryan Savell, Jr. (Dahn), Denise Marie Savell (Tom Scarborough), Herbert Gordon Savell (Patricia), and Tracy Lee Savell (deceased in 2004). Joy is also survived by four grandchildren: Ashley Joyelle Smith (Moa Almerud), Herbert Gordon Savell II, Katherine Elizabeth Savell, and William Edward Bryan Savell; and one great grandson, Herbert Gordon Savell III. Joy is also survived by a brother, Winford Lewis Smith (who will be officiating her service with Brother Ricky White assisting), and a sister, Dorothy June Coley. Joy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom regarded her as a protector and advocate, as well as an additional parent.
Determined to remain in the place of her greatest happiness—the home she shared with her Joe—Joy remained in Eight Mile for four more years, living life on her terms. She spent her final two years living in the home of her daughter, Denise, where she turned the entire household into Elvis fans, and enjoyed teasing her son-in-law mercilessly. But she missed her home and her church family in Eight Mile and, especially, her Joe. She profoundly loved her people, her church and her hometown.
Her sons, Joe and Gordon were vital to Joy’s care, along with a team of compassionate and loving caregivers—Nora Eschete, Shirley Jackson, Janet Gordon, Brenda Davis, and Loretta Lewis. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank the dedicated hospice professionals of Heart of Hospice, in Baton Rouge. Appreciation is also conveyed to Sharrel Johnson, of the Council on Aging, in St. Francisville.
Joy will be laid to rest between her Joe and her baby, Tracy, on July 6th, at Valhalla Memorial Gardens. A visitation will be held at Radney’s Funeral Home in Saraland, Alabama from 10:00 – 12:00, immediately followed by a service in the Chapel, and a processional to the graveside service.
A celebration of Joy’s life will be held on July 9th at the home of Denise and Tom in St. Francisville, Louisiana, from 1:00 - 5:00. Food, memories and laughter will be shared and, it is rumored, Elvis may be in the house. All who would like to come are welcome. For details or to RSVP, please call Tom at 601-870-2662, or Denise at 225-933-6656.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made either to Myers Memorial Baptist Church, or to the Alzheimer's Association.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.RadneyFuneralHome-Saraland.com for the Savell family.
