Joyce became my Spiritual Godmother when I was 12. After my baptism she was the only one who I thought could handle this crazy teen. I knew that she would be strict, not afraid to tell me if I was wrong and I saw in her Gods’ unconditional love which I needed. The family opened their hearts and home to me. Da knew if the phone rang after 11:00 pm that it was me calling from college.

Joyce and I grew closer as the years went by. I thank God that she got to see the fruits of her labor as I grew spiritually. It was no longer Mom guiding that out of control teenager. We became spiritual partners. We lifted each other up in Christ. We became sisters in Christ. There is a saying “ A sister in Christ is a sister for life”! We became prayer partners. I thank God for the blessing of her in my life journey. I know I will see her again.

Lovingly submitted,

Your other daughter 

ROADY 

To Josh senior, JaDiene, Josh junior and family our sincere condolence and prayers go out to you in the loss of our beloved Joyce L. Smith. We at Fellowship Bible Church will cherish b the memory and legacy our our dear Sister Joyce Smith. Her accomplishments and personality speak volumes as to the person she was. Where do we begin: Wife, mother,  Sunday school teacher,  Vacation Bible School teacher, choir director,  summer camp director and a host of other works for Christ outside of her church. Absent from the body and present with the Lord. Membership of FBC. .

Joyce L. Smith was a gracious and talented woman of God, a genuine disciple of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  No one at Manna Bible Institute who knew and loved her could miss the buttons she wore almost all the time:  "Blessed!" and "Too Blessed to Be Stressed."  Even with her busy schedule, she had a beautiful attitude of calmness and peace because she trusted in Christ completely.  Her gift of music used in the service of the Savior.  She led Manna's choir, "The Voices of Manna" for as long as I knew her (over 43 years).  She and her husband Josh dedicated so much of their lives to the Bible Institute.  She served for a while as Manna's treasurer and on various committees, and she was a real asset to the school through her work on the Board of Directors.  She will be missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing her, and it's comforting to know that she's now in the presence of the Savior she served so faithfully here on earth.

THE ABUNDANT LIFE BIBLE MINISTRIES

POST OFFICE BOX 14564, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23221

“I am come that they might have life and that they

might have it more abundantly.”

St. John 10:10B

To: The Family of Mrs Joyce Smith

II Corinthians 1:3,4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;…

May you find comfort and inner strength from, The True and Living God, who is our “Sustainer” and “Great Comforter.”

From the moment that your “Dear Loved One”, Sister Smith, received the Lord Jesus Christ into her heart and life to be her personal Savior,… Jesus the “Great Comforter”, has been Sister Smith’s comforter, and will be your comforter also.

Jesus said in; St. John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

The Abundant Life Bible Mission Family appreciates the many years of; blessed fellowship, the joy, the laughter, the tears, the love and the labor that we have shared together with Sister Smith. When greeting her she always had such a bright and infectious smile and with,… out-stretched arms, she would give you a big hug and a holy kiss.

During her earlier years Sister Smith participated in in our Youth Camp Ministry; recruiting youth to attend summer camp, teaching Bible lessons, counselling young girls in God’s Word and leading many to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. Her sweet spirit added a special fellowship to our camps and the Bible Conferences that we attended together. She was a faithful, dedicated woman of God with great wisdom, a sweet spirit and many talents. We are grateful for her faithful support to our ministry. She will be greatly missed. Thank you for sharing her with us over the years.

We cherish the blessed memories of Sister Smith and her commitment to the LORD.

It was very evident that her heartfelt dedication was to her LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, her family, and love ones. She was a “Woman of God” with integrity

I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

We Resolve, as a Mission family to keep you and your family in our prayers. May the God of all comfort, comfort you in the home going of your “Dear Loved One”.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

Prayerfully Submitted, The Abundant Life Bible Mission Family;

Sr. Pastor: Anthony Merriweather

Leaders: Floyd Dean

Arthur Cole, Jr.

Thomas Davis

Sister Joyce Smith a truly remarkable woman with a desire to inspire others through music and teach many from child hood. She loved to play piano at Fellowship Bible Church. The faith based community throughout the city will miss her 

I was very sad to have heard the news of Joyce's passing. My prayers are with the family at this time.