Joyce Corry Smith, 71

Joyce Corry Smith died Sept. 9, 2002, on Vashon Island in her sleep. She was 71 years old.

Mrs. Smith was born June 14, 1932, and live most of her life in Weddington, N.C.

She grew up in Oakman, Ala., one of seven children. She received her nursing degree at the University of Alabama and her master’s at the University of Washington. She was working at the Veteran’s Hospital in Birmingham when she was set up on a blind date with her future husband. They settled in North Carolina.

In the big house where she and her husband raised five children, she welcomed everyone. She was happiest sitting at the table surrounded by food, family, friends and unexpected guests, telling and listening to stories and laughing until she cried. Friends say you weren’t just her friend, but a new family member and she let people know it with a hug every time she saw her new friends.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Dr. J. Roderick Smith, sons Rod Smith Jr., Michael Smith, Sam Smith, and Jonathan Smith, daughter Sally Smith Aichele, granddaughter Sarah Hager, grandson Matt Smith, granddaughter Anna Smith and grandson William Aichele.

A memorial service was Sunday at the Weddington United Methodist Church.

The family asks that donations be made to either the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation at 7910 Woodmont Ave. Suite 1050, Bethesda, Md., 20814, the American Heart Association National Center/Women and Cardiovascular Disease at 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75231, or the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease/Woman Heart at 818 18th St. N.W. Suite 730, Washington D.C. 20006.