Joyce Marie Smith

Joyce Marie Smith, 84, of Concord, North Carolina, peacefully woke up in the land of glory on June 5, 2026, following a struggle with dementia and a short period of declining health.

Joyce was born on October 1, 1941, in Starrucca, Pennsylvania. Her early years were shaped by simpler times attending a one-room schoolhouse, working hard on her father’s farm. She possessed a natural talent for working with her hands to create; a skill no doubt honed by helping her mother make clothing and blankets and preserve their food. She first put this skill to use alongside other family members working as a seamstress in a local dress factory. Later in life, Joyce channeled her creativity into becoming a talented cake decorator, serving the community at BI-LO in Concord until retirement.

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. For nearly 40 years, Joyce was a devoted member of Life Point Concord Nazarene Church, where she served multiple pastors as secretary. She poured her heart into ministry, bringing back the Nazarene Missions International messages to the congregation, coordinating and decorating for church events, and serving others from the kitchen whenever meals were prepared. Joyce also catered for the local Gideon’s International camp after retirement; a project she couldn’t have taken on without the help of her beloved son, Glenn.

To her family, Joyce was a pillar of warmth, joy and patience. You couldn’t step into her home without being offered food and love. She had a wonderful penchant for being ‘suckered’ into whatever creative project her grandchildren dreamed of. This included putting her seamstress skills to the test to make a wedding dress – an endeavor that nearly broke a finger. Joyce loved quilting, a tradition she shared with her own mother during her annual stays and one she proudly passed on to her granddaughter, helping her stitch a pile of quilts to donate in memory of her mother, Eleanor.

When she wasn’t creating, Joyce spent most of her free time trying to keep her husband out of trouble (and out of the snacks), while simultaneously spoiling the grandkids with extra treats. During her final years of sound mind, she poured her energy into babysitting her great-grandson, Evan and caring for her husband, Roger; taking them for walks and pretzels. Following Roger’s passing, she was blessed to live with her devoted daughter, Lana, and have the daily joy of seeing Evan grow.

Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Roger Douglas Smith; her mother, Eleanor Louise VanLoan; her father Orval Alden Buchanan; and her sisters Iva Wood and Cassandra (Dee) Hadden. Her memory will be forever cherished by the family she left behind: her sister, Eileen (Kay) Wormuth; her brother, Vaughn Buchanan; her son, Glenn Matthew Smith and his wife Angie; and her daughter, Lana Kay Hinnant. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Amber and Aaron Repine, Wally Hinnant, Michelle (Bill) Meyers), Dani (Brian) Foley, and William Smith, Sheri (Russ) Schell, Brandon Smith and Katharine Rouseau; as well as great-grandchildren: Evan Repine, Jackson Cobb, Maddison Cobb, Ellie Meyers and Devon Meyers.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 10:00am-11:00am at Life Point Church of the Nazarene, located at 2520 NC-49 South, Concord, NC, 28025. Services will begin at 11:00am at the church and be conducted by Pastor Harold Davis. Burial will immediately follow at Carolina Memorial Park, 601 Mt. Olivet Rd, Concord, NC.

While flowers are entirely welcome, any donations can be made in Joyce’s memory to Nazarene Missions International World Evangelism Fund, a cause close to her heart. Mail to: Church of the Nazarene, 17001 Prairie Star Pkwy, Lenexa, KS 66220 ATTN: Donor Services