Family, friends, and livestock were the most important things in Joy Beth Churchwell Smith’s life. She passed from this life on May 29, 2018 still focused on those things.
Joy was born to George Nelson Churchwell and Vida Mae Donahoo Churchwell on March 31, 1950 in San Saba, Texas. Her early years were spent on her parents’ peanut farm. The family moved to Brownwood, Texas when she was about five and she lived in Brownwood the remainder of her life.
She married Phillip Marion Smith in 1974 and they had two children together, Lee and Nelson. Lee and Nelson were the center of Joy’s world during their childhoods. Joy worked at their schools with the PTA and the Reading Is Fundamental program and was a co-President of the Lionette Booster Club. She never missed a performance or an activity her kids were in. The kids were only replaced as the center of her world by her four cherished grandchildren – Nate, Clint, Olivia, and Logan.
Joy convinced Phil to move to the country about eight miles outside Brownwood and over several years, they built their dream home together. They kept a small herd of cattle that were more pets than livestock and were widely acknowledged to be the fattest and most overfed cattle in the county.
Joy had a wide circle of family and friends. Many, many of those friends and family members visited her this past week after she was diagnosed with advanced cancer and moved to Hendrick Hospice Care in Abilene. She loved visiting and reminiscing with all of you.
Joy is survived by her children Lee Kirksey (and husband Patrick) of Hobbs, New Mexico and Nelson Smith (and wife Christie) of Pflugerville, Texas along with her grandchildren – Nate, Clint, Olivia, and Logan.
Family visitation will be Friday, June 1, 2018 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Davis Morris Funeral Home. Graveside service will be Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 10 AM at Cedar Point Cemetery with Waymon Childress officiating.
Online memorials can be left at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com
