Joyce Maria Smith

Joyce Maria Smith, March 11, 1930 - February 9, 2026

Joyce Maria Smith was born in Georgetown Guyana on March 11, 1930 to the late Sanceria and to C.H Bradshaw, and departed on February 9, 2026, at the age of 95 years old, one month short of her 96th birthday. Her family would have liked to celebrate her 100th birthday, however God had other plans for her.

Joyce met the love of her life John Adam Smith and was later married on March 29, 1948. They built their home in East La Penitence and shared a wonderful life. Joyce was known to have grown rice and raised chickens on her property. Joyce was a gifted seamstress who loved to create her own style for herself, her daughter, family and friends. Joyce and John love going to the movies daily. Her favorite stars were Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Debera Kerr and Spencer Tracey just to name a few. Joyce loves going dancing. Joyce was the life of the party and the best dressed person with the outfits that she made for herself. The next joy of her life was working in the garden, which God gifted to her to make all the flowers and plant strive. Joyce migrated to America to pursue a better life for her and her family. Joyce's first job was as housekeeper, her most favorite client was Doug Johnson from ABC news. She later attended classes to pursue a CNA certificate for Health Care Management.

Joyce sponsored John to join her in York in the year of 1974. Their first apartment was in Brooklyn on Lenox Road. Wanda their daughter and Carl Smith also known has Phillip their son joined them in Brooklyn. Their last home in Brookly was on Union Street in the residents of Saint Marks Episcopal Church. Here is where they found their church family at St. Marks Church. Joyce and John and was heavily involved in the ministry of Saint Marks Church. They enjoyed all the summer church outings and provided the delicious Caribbean food.

Joyce lived her faith in God. God gave her insights to life and gave her a kindhearted and nourishing spirit. Joyce was the person that kept the family together and was the historian of the family.

In September of 1998, Joyce and John relocated to Wellington, Florida to escape the cold weather. They purchased a house on Peppertree Court and began building a new live here in Wellington. When they arrived, they found their new church family at Saint David’s in the Pines Episcopal Church. Joyce joined the ministries of the Daughters of the King and also the ECW.

At her new home she began building her garden with unique plants and flowers, she knew the names of each and every flower and plant. In her spare time, Joyce was an avid reader of Sidney Sheldon novels. Joyce and John immensely loved Christmas. During the holiday season, they decorated their entire home which also illuminated the Cul-De-Sac. Her favorite piece was the shining star that John hand crafted and install on the roof.

Joyce leaves a legacy of love and light. Left to cherish her memory is Wanda and her two sons, Richard and Christopher. Phillip and his children and 14 great-grandchildren. Joyce leaves behind her brother-in-law Wilfred Smith, close family and friends in New York, Guyana and Florida. I also want to send a special thank you for Allison Jacobs for taking wonderful care of Joyce in the declining years of her life.

The family of the late Joyce Smith wishes to express their deep and sincere appreciation of your loving thoughtfulness and support shown through cards, telephone calls and visits. We acknowledge your presence here today and your heart felt expressions of sympathy. May God bless each and every one of you and may His peace be with you for evermore.

Special thank you to her son Phillip for his dedication to her care.