Joy Turner Smith

Joy Turner Smith of 301 Northmont Blvd died on Sept. 23rd, 2019. Joy was born to the late Claiborne & Mamie Turner of Keeling, Va. She grew up on a tobacco farm and worshipped at Oak Grove Baptist Church. Graduated from Dan River High School, she was active in the student government and starred in basketball, winning a state championship. She graduated from Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Danville as a registered professional nurse and was honored as “The Best All Around Nurse” of her graduating class. Joy met her husband of 59 years, Louis W. Smith, shortly after graduating while working at the hospital in the Ob-Gyn Dept. Joy was active in her profession all her life. She worked as an office nurse for the late Dr. Clyde Lester Bailey, the Danville Health Department as a public health nurse for 5 years and gave the first flu shots to the Dan River Mill employees. In 1975, she joined the staff at Roman Eagle Memorial Home and if you visited there you would’ve found her dispensing her joy and humor. She was known for her professionalism and skills along with her empathy. She prided herself in her staff, wearing the traditional white nursing uniform cap and accessories. In 1996, she had the great honor of receiving the Director of Nursing from the VA Association of activity professionals and in 2002, she was named Director of Nursing in long term care. Joy Smith is survived by her daughter, Virginia Smith Jones. Also surviving are four grandchildren ~ Katie Jones of Brooklyn, NY. Louis W. Smith IV & Katya Smith Medina of Tamarac, FL. Caylee Smith of Springfield, MO. Four great-grandchildren ~ Aiden Evans, Gabriel Medina, Vivian Smith, and Mylo Carter. Predeceased by her late husband, Louis W. Smith and son, Louis W. Smith III. Predeceased siblings, brothers are Joe, Carl and Cliff Turner as well as sisters Shirley Turner Murray and Hazel Turner Allen. For years, she and the family worshipped at Calvary United Methodist Church, which is now St. Lukes United Methodist Church, where she was a charter member. To honor Mrs. Joy Smith wishes, the family had a private graveside memorial on Sept. 25th, 2019. Following her wishes, in true Joy Smith fashion, she left us with these words... "Her life has been a bright beautiful rainbow and to those she left behind (Virginia, Katie, Katya and Lou), her family, and all her loved ones, her staff, and her friends ~ she leaves her sincere blessings and love... “May God Bless you all as he has blessed me. Follow your dreams as I have followed and completed mine."

Joy Turner Smith

September 23, 2019