Joyce C Smith

Joyce C. Smith, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Joyce was born in Union Furnace, Ohio, at her grandmother Murray’s home to Delbert E. Marstiller and Freda A. Marstiller. Her father served in the United States Navy, and during her childhood, Joyce spent time living in Providence, Rhode Island, memories she often reflected on throughout her life. She primarily grew up in Logan, Ohio, and later made her home in Chillicothe, Ohio, where she had lived for several years.
Joyce was a people person in every sense of the word. She worked in sales because she loved being around people and making connections with them. She retired from Lowe’s approximately 15 years ago, but retirement never meant slowing down her desire to serve, create, love, and help others.
Her faith in Jesus Christ was unwavering. Joyce loved the Lord and spoke to Him often. In her later years, when she was no longer able to attend church regularly, she continued to worship by watching church services on television. Throughout her younger years, she attended Walnut Street Methodist Church, Potter’s House, and Lighthouse Baptist Church. Her faith was not simply something she talked about, it was something she lived. She made it her mission to show the love of Jesus to everyone who entered her life.
Joyce dedicated many years to serving children and families. She was a foster parent and served as a board member for Children Services in both Ross and Pike Counties. She was also a Girl Scout leader and a constant volunteer during her daughters’ school years. If there was something that needed to be done, Joyce was often the first to volunteer. Her desire to serve others extended far beyond organizations and community activities. Service was simply who she was.
Above all else, Joyce was a mother.
Her support as a mother, friend, and confidant was unwavering. She raised her daughters to be independent, strong women while also teaching them the importance of nurturing and caring for their families. She taught them by example that when someone is in need, you help them—whether they are family, a friend, or a stranger. That lesson continues to shine through her family every day.
Joyce was an inspiration and a true overcomer. Life knocked her down more than once, but she always found a way to dust herself off, stand back up, and keep going. She was strong, determined, and resilient. To her daughters, she was simply their hero and the wind beneath their wings.
Joyce loved people, and people felt welcome around her. Her home was a place where family, friends, and even those who were simply passing through could always find a place at the table. She loved to give and receive hugs, and her joy was contagious.
She also knew how to have fun.
Joyce loved to travel with her family and was always ready for an adventure, whether it was a carefully planned family vacation or a spontaneous trip to a park. She loved spending time together and cherished the days when family could simply be together without the distractions of modern technology. Joyce was not a fan of everyone having their phones out and would often remind everyone, “Well, back in my day…”—a phrase her family will surely remember with a smile.
She loved crafts and spent years creating beautiful things to sell at craft shows. She also had quite an entrepreneurial spirit and operated a candy business, making and selling homemade holiday candy. Joyce could turn just about anything into an opportunity to create something special.
But perhaps nothing brought Joyce more joy than making her home a place of love and celebration.
Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she went all out. Family gatherings were special events, with every detail carefully planned—from the tablecloths and napkins to the dishes and food. She spent hours preparing meals for her family and making sure everything was just right. Her Christmas cookies were legendary. She would make dozens of cookies in many different varieties, and no one left her home without a container of goodies to take with them.
Christmas morning meant a special breakfast, a beautifully decorated home, and a tree overflowing with presents. Joyce even kept a “gift closet” so that if someone unexpectedly stopped by during the holidays, they would still have a gift waiting for them to open. That was Joyce—always prepared, always thinking of others, and always making sure no one felt left out.
She was a classy lady who wanted everyone around her to feel special, loved, and cared for.
Joyce’s beloved dogs, Tiko and Paepae, whom she affectionately called her “little boys,” brought tremendous joy and companionship to her life. They were cherished members of her family and brought her countless moments of happiness.
Joyce shared a special bond with her sister, Jean, that went far beyond an ordinary sisterly relationship. Their love for one another was deep, enduring, and beautiful. Jean often recalled how Joyce would create pretend hospitals for her when they were young, caring for her as though she were a real patient. Even as a little girl, Joyce seemed to possess the heart of a caretaker. Jean was someone Joyce knew she could count on, and their love for each other remained a precious part of Joyce’s life.
Joyce was a gem—strong like her father, caring like her mother, and always ready to give of herself to others. She was an amazing daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her greatest legacy will not be found in the things she owned or accomplished, but in the lives she touched, the people she served, and the love she poured into her family.
Joyce found comfort in the words of Helen Steiner Rice’s beloved poem, When I Must Leave You for a Little While, which speaks of continuing to live bravely, reaching out to others with comfort and cheer, and finding peace in knowing that those we love are never truly lost. Those words seem especially fitting for Joyce. She would want her family to keep living, keep loving, keep helping others, and keep finding joy.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Freda Marstiller; her daughter, Debra; and her son-in-law, Robert Scott.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Billy) Reynolds of Chillicothe, Kristi (Kirk Davis) Smith of Columbus, and Dawn (Dan Carsey) Whiteside of Chillicothe.
She is also survived by her grandchildren: Janelle (Tim Simms) Randolph of Columbus; Caitlinn (Chris Radachi) Reynolds of Chillicothe; BJ Reynolds of Dayton; Brittany Gillenwater of Chillicothe; Melanie Gillenwater of Chillicothe; Kirk Davis Jr. of Columbus; Tricia (Nick) Lawson of Bowling Green; Sharday (Jonathan Carpenter) Scott of Columbus; Codey (Madeline) Whiteside of Commercial Point; Hunter (Brittanie) Whiteside of Chillicothe; and Brooke (Zach) Bowman of Indiana.
Joyce was blessed with 39 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, who brought her immense pride and joy.
She is also survived by her beloved sister, Jean Walker (John Harmon) of Westerville; and her wonderful nieces, Mandy and Karin, and nephew, Michael, along with many extended family members and dear friends.
Joyce will be dearly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. Her laughter, hugs, strength, generosity, faith, and contagious joy will live on in the people she touched.
Mom, you were our hero, our example, our safe place, and the wind beneath our wings. You taught us how to love, how to serve, how to be strong, and how to keep going when life knocks us down. You showed us what it means to live a life of faith and service.
You have completed your journey here, and although our hearts are broken, we find peace knowing that you are finally home with Jesus.
Until we see you again, Mom. We love you.
A Celebration of Joyce's Life will be held at the Haller Funeral Home & Crematory on Sunday, August 9th, 2026 from 3:00 to 5:00pm. Cremation has taken place.