Mary Joyce Smith

When she first met her handsome husband to be. "LOVE AT FIRST SITE". The feelings were mutual and they were meant to be together forever. Joyce quoted just two years ago in front of several witnesses when we refreshed his Navy picture for her to see, I knew the 1st time I laid eyes on him, he was the best lookin man I had ever seen and I will follow him forever. I am never letting him go.

Odell and Joyce eventually moved to Park City, Ks with their (3) children where she pursued a career with Institute of Logopedics that led to her CPRF career giving her longevity of 50 sum years retiring officially in 2009 with ill health but was retained on the Board of Directors until 2017.

She was the most selfless person most of her friends, family and co-workers ever witnessed and she was a blessing to the community for the handicapped population giving tirelessly in every way she could.

Odell spoke last week " she was the hardest working woman he ever knew and God had been so good to them and brought the family through difficult times. The family was highly respected "church going" people that loved the Lord and made tons of friends. She never ask for anything from most people but gave of herself in the smallest way.

To the family's knowledge, she and Odell were the last remaining couple of 20 longtime friends that gathered in home football games and Saturday night polka dancing which kept them young at heart, fit and full of laughter and Joy.

Joyce and Odell have quoted so many times to the family for years, "money and possessions are nothing if you don't have your health". We all learn over time as we age. We are so grateful Mom and Dad had 74 long years of love, happiness and pure joy.

She leaves her good looking sailor behind for a while as she has gone on to be with her Heavenly Father above. We are all so blessed just to know she is kickin' her heels up with our Lord and praying "He" will be able to keep up. Amen!.

Joyce was preceded in death by her mother Jewell Clark from Texas and her son David L Smith from Wichita, Ks.

Her survivors include her husband, Odell Smith, Age 94 and daughter Joydell Smith of Wichita KS; son Charles Smith (Shirl) of Valley Center KS; grandchildren Chris Smith (Kalise) Wichita KS; 2 Great Grandchildren, Granddaughter Tammy Swanson (Mike) of Wamego Ks, Great Granddaughter Breanna Thompson (Tony) of Alaska; 3 Great Great Grandchildren all of Alaska; 2 sisters Sybil Evans and Crowl Baggett both of Texas; and multiple nieces/nephews all of Texas.

A visitation for Mary will be held Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E 13TH ST N, Wichita, KS 67206, followed by a Celebration of life service at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary's memory may be made to Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas, 5111 East 21st Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67208, https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=cprf&id=1.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MyLakeviewFuneralHome.com for the Smith family.