Joyce M. Smith

To view the service via YouTube please use the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrOMrMg81-w To view the Service via Facebook please use the link below: https://www.facebook.com/ZandersFuneralLIVE/ To view the Last Mile of the Way for Mr. Joyce M. Smith, please use the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBLMTXwfZXs The Birth of a Legend Joyce M. Smith was born July 26, 1940 in Sparks, Georgia to Samuel J. Smith and Allie Ruth Smith. He was raised in Orlando, Florida and attended Orange County Public Schools. He was a proud graduate of the historic Jones High School in the class of 1959. As a young man, Joyce was very athletic. He enjoyed baseball and excelled in the sport. His fast and furious arm, paved the way for him to become a pitcher for the the Negro League. A League of His Own In 1959, shortly after graduating high school, Joyce began his family with his high school sweetheart, Minnie Eady. The two were married and to their union three wonderful children were born. As he blossomed as a father, Joyce set out to take care of his family and began his career at the iconic Marita Bread Bakery in Orlando, Florida. He would go on to work for Royal Crown/Nehi and Martin-Marietta (Orlando). Seeking to advance in the workforce, Joyce became employed at United Parcel Service (UPS). There, he worked as an Industrial Engineer and began traveling throughout the continental United States and abroad to establish and open new UPS facilities around the globe until his retirement. A Love for the Game of Life Joyce was an avid sports enthusiast! He enjoyed playing and watching sports- namely, baseball and football. His love for the game led him to officiate games for more than twenty (20) years. He would later inspire his eldest son “Gino” to follow in his footsteps not only as an athlete but also as a referee of the youth athletic and sports world. His children, grandchildren, and great-grands were indeed the apples of his eye and his crowning achievement. He would often brag about their many accomplishments and took great pride in spending quality time with them. Later, Joyce met and married his current wife, Judy and the two became one, blending their families to become “Team Smith”. As a couple, Joyce and Judy would rededicate their lives to the Lord and dutifully worked alongside his eldest brother, the late Reverend Sam L. Smith in ministry. Later, they became dedicated members of The Tabernacle of Prayer and Deliverance, Inc. in Apopka, Florida under the leadership of Dr. G. A. Hill. There, they served faithfully and tirelessly establishing and spearheading the Annual Men and Women’s Day Services and the T.O.P.D. Ministry of Helps. He made sure it was well known that his wife, children, church family, and sports were indeed the loves of this live. A Home Run Having ran all the bases of life, Joyce M. Smith made his last run on the field of life and retired his jersey on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 9:55a.m. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Samuel J. Smith and Allie Ruth Smith; Brothers: Reverend Sam L. Smith and John “Subbs” Smith. Left to cherish in his memory…his loving Wife of over 30 years, Judy C. Smith of Orlando, Florida; Sons: Avarice "Gino" Smith, AuTa'shas “ Ta’shas” (Tia) Smith, Antwan "Tony" Kegler (Yara), and Derrick Kegler, all of Orlando, Florida; Daughters: Andreaus "Fran" Williams (Ricky) and La Rhonda Smith, both of Orlando, Florida; Stepsons: Rico Cobb and Denick Cobb, both of St. Cloud, Florida; Grandchildren: Avarice Smith II, Hope Smith, Cassidy Smith, Ashante Smith, Precious Williams, D’Maci Williams, Joirdan Williams, Shaliyah McMillan, Ta’shia Smith, Ta’lia Smith, Cecila Smith, Necco Kegler, Antwanja Kegler, Yoshi Williams, Alexus Croker, Asia Curry, Zahia Toliver, Jakai Toliver, Davin Curry, Antwan Kegler Jr., Briana Cobb, Jaylen Cobb, Jazlyn Cobb; 9 Great Grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives, church family and friends.

Tributes

Joyce M. Smith

July 26, 1940 - November 7, 2023