Joyce S. Smith's Obituary
Joyce Anne Shuman Smith, formerly of Meadville and Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away on Saturday, October 29th, with loved ones by her side, at her home in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Joyce is reunited with Thomas Wilson Smith, Sr., her beloved husband of 54 years. She is survived by her four loving children and their families: Son Todd Davis and his wife Lauren; granddaughter Erika Steele and her husband David; grandson Kyle and great-granddaughter Ripley of Scottsdale, Arizona. Daughter Tamara Haverfield and her husband Gary of Mansfield, Ohio; granddaughter Alyssa and her partner Nicholas Lovell of Denver, Colorado; grandson Connor and his fiancé Erin Laird of Columbus, Ohio; step-granddaughter Whitney Schroeder and her children Addison and Brody of Lexington, Ohio. Daughter Tracey Morrison and grandsons Spencer and Sean of Obetz, Ohio. Son Tom Jr. and grandsons Hayden, Sullivan, Harrison and granddaughter Addison of Little Rock, Arkansas. Surviving also are her sisters: Beth Elway of Vero Beach, Florida; Fran Rogers of Meadville, Pennsylvania; and Ruthie Frederick of Gulf Breeze, Florida; and brother Benjamin Shuman of West Hickory, Pennsylvania; along with numerous brothers and sisters in law, nieces and nephews, from both the Shuman and Smith clans who all treasured Joyce.
Joyce was preceded in death by Tom and her parents, Franklin and Gladys Shuman, her sister, Donna Elston, and granddaughter Stormi Morrison.
Joyce was a ray of sunshine in every life she touched. Witty, stylish, loving, caring and hard-working are among the many words to describe Joyce. ‘If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all’ and ‘make sure everyone else is served before you serve yourself’ are axioms that she shared with her children and lived to the letter.
Joyce was brought up in a large Pennsylvania Dutch family, where everyone pitched in on the chores, straight A’s were expected, and no excuse was accepted for missing family dinner. She graduated from Meadville High School and attended Grove City College, receiving a certificate in business administration. She spent long hours working in the family business, helping her dad, “Doc” Shuman manage his real estate and insurance customers. She married Bill Davis, the biological father of Todd, Tammy and Tracey. After that marriage ended, she met Tom, who became her life partner and gladly took on the role of father to her three children before welcoming Tommy into the family.
Tom and Joyce were hard-working and frugal in those days. When an opportunity called Tom to Erie, the family moved and Joyce became the office manager of the Thermoclad Company. She worked there over 20 years without missing a day, and at her retirement, the CEO admitted he didn’t know how the place was going to get along without her.
Tom and Joyce then moved south to Clearwater. It was there that they could relax and enjoy the fruits of their labors. They traveled the country, visiting Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona and Arkansas to see their children and spoil their grandchildren every chance possible. On the rare occasions that Joyce had to miss a graduation or birthday, a greeting card with a generous check would be there in advance. Her passport got a workout as well, as she and Tom traveled the world.
When home, Joyce became active in a number of different women’s groups and several bridge clubs. She was a wizard at bridge, playing regularly until a few months ago. Everyone in her bridge circle called her the master and checked in with her for strategic pointers. She loved the good friends she made throughout Clearwater; at the Sunwatch Condominiums, the Bow Chasers, the Gulls, the Greater Bellaire Young Women’s Society (she especially loved the word “young” in that name), her multiple bridge groups and in every circle she touched.
Joyce loved nothing better than sitting at the kitchen table with Tom, working the crossword, and sipping coffee while listening to the birds through the patio door. In the end, that’s where she passed, with the ever-present photograph of Tom Sr. next to her and Tom Jr. holding her hand.
The family hopes that those who knew and loved Joyce will cherish their memories of Mom. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite cause in memory of Joyce.
The family has scheduled a memorial service at Clearwater’s Chapel by the Sea for Saturday, November 19th at 11:00, followed by a celebration of her life at the Clearwater Yacht Club. Her ashes will be interred alongside Tom’s in a Pennsylvania service, to be scheduled in the Spring.
Live stream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0oREWba9xXPemUh3HYER5Q
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