Obituaries

October 29, 1946 to March 16, 2011

WINAMAC - Joyce Ann Smith, 64, of Galveston, passed away at 7:20 p.m., Wednesday, March 16, at her residence.

She was born Oct. 29, 1946, in Detroit, to the late Lloyd Ridley and Vera Mae Jones Lening. She married W. Edward Smith, on June 27, 1998, in Kokomo. He survives.

Also surviving are:
Scott (Dyna) Clark, Gilbert, AZ, Son
Randy (Karen) Clark, Walnut Creek, CA, Son
David (Nancy) Clark, House Springs, MO, Son
Brian Smith, Newburgh, Son
Michael (Tae Won) Smith, Chicago, Son
Troy (Elly)Turley, Warsaw, Son
Tom (Tammy) Turley, Kokomo, Son
15 Grandchilren

 Preceded in death by:
Ashton Smith, Granddaughter

Mrs. Smith graduated from Franklin High School, Livonia, MI, in 1964. While living in Midland, MI, she owned a clothing store she named "Joyce." She was a former district director of the Miss America contest in Michigan and coached young women in the Miss Indiana and Miss America contests. She served as a wardrobe consultant in the movies Hoosiers, Push To Far, and The Perfect Gift. In 1984, she moved to Kokomo, and was the co-owner of the Green Acres Golf Club.

She was currently a member of the Indiana State Republican Central Committee, serving as the chairwoman of the Second Congressional District Republican Committee. Previously she served as the vice chair of the Second District Committee. She also was the former chairwoman of the Cass County Republican Party.  She was a former chairwoman of the Indiana Federation of Republican Women and also was elected first vice president of the National Federation of Republican Women.

Mrs. Smith was appointed by Gov. Daniels to serve on the State of Indiana Medical Licensing Board for Hospitals and Nursing Homes. She had served as a delegate to the two most recent Republican National Conventions in 2004 and 2008. She served on the 2008 Platform Committee for the convention. She was the recipient of the Ronald Reagan Award from the National Federation of Republican Women in 2005. She was also named the Woman of the Year in 2006 by the Indiana Federation of Republican Women. She was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Mitch Daniels in November, 2009.

Mrs. Smith and her husband were founding members of the French Brittany Gundog Association, now known as Club Epagneul Breton-US. She served as the original editor of the club newsletter, a member of the board of director's for 8 years, and co-hosted the national meeting in Indiana in 2003.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Galveston.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Galveston United Methodist Church, Galveston, on a date to be announced. Pastor Karen Koelsch will officate at the service.

In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorial contributions be given to a fund being established in Joyce's memory to provide a college scholarship for a Republican woman in need. Donations may be made payable to NFRW-Memorial Fund-Joyce Smith, in care of Ed Smith, 13264 S 1025 E, Galveston, IN 46932. The fund is a 501(C)3 and a tax deductable donation.