Joyce Dean (Brawley) Smith

Joyce Dean Brawley Smith (81) went to heaven on November 16, 2023. She was born July 18th, 1942 in Ravia, Oklahoma to Darrell DeWitt Brawley and Gretta Manning Brawley. Joyce's father passed away when she was still a baby. Her mother moved their little family down the road to Tishomingo. Joyce grew up there and graduated from Tishomingo High School in 1961. After high school Joyce went to beauty school in Ada. She married her first husband, Gerald, and moved to Oklahoma City where they raised two children, Shelley and David. Joyce was involved with the Olivet Baptist Church where she accepted Jesus as her savior and was baptized by Ralph Crawford. Joyce taught Girls in Action at church and was the Blue Bird leader for her daughter's Camp Fire troop. Joyce enjoyed cooking and baking. She made the BEST apple pie in the world. She also served as homeroom mother for her children. Joyce was a talented seamstress often making clothes for her children and grandchildren. In 1993 she won an Oklahoma State Award for Best Sportswear modeled by her granddaughter Bree. She was extremely proud of her accomplishment. She shared her talent for sewing with her youngest granddaughter, Kaylee. Life happened and Joyce divorced. She found herself single and went to work at the new salon. She had many clients that she considered friends and family. Joyce met Nathan Brown when her doctor played match maker and introduced them in 2004. From the first day they met they were inseparable until his death in 2017. She moved in with her daughter's family. Joyce continued working until 2018. She boasted about her 58-year career. After retiring, she started attending the Daily Living Center and made many friends. She enjoyed playing BINGO, participating in crafts, and going on field trips. Joyce and her buddies were affectionally known as the "Golden Girls." She was especially close to her friend Patsy and cherished their time together. Joyce was a fighter. She fought and beat breast cancer in 2021. She will be missed by her family and friends. Joyce is preceded in death by her parents DeWitt & Gretta Brawley and Nathan Brown. She is survived by her daughter, Shelley Porter and husband Lee Porter of Yukon; son, David Smith; granddaughters: Bree Hines, Alyssa Shockley & Kaylee Porter; great-grandsons: Kieran Hines, Kade Shockley and Owen Hines. A service will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 1:00pm at Ingram, Smith & Turner Mortuary with a burial to follow at the Tishomingo Cemetery in Tishomingo,OK.
Please wear any shade of blue in true Joyce fashion. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the care and support of Bethany Daily Living Center, Bristol Hospice, and the staff at Fairmont Memory Care.

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