Obituary of a model Christian

Joyce Elliot Smith Obituary

1917 - 2006 Joyce Elliot Smith, born October 17, 1917, as the eldest of six children in a farmhouse out of Marysville, WA, died in her home in Ouzinkie, AK on August 30, 2006. She was a vibrant Alaskan from 1952 on, an honorary Ouzinkie tribal elder, served 38 years as an Alaska Community Health Aide, ordained pastor since 1997, and beloved friend, counselor, medical advisor and correspondent for thousands. She is survived by one brother (David Benthin, Sequim, WA), and five children: Norman E. Smith (Noel) of Seattle, WA; Jerilynn C. Prior of Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Robin LaMonte of Springfield, OR; Timothy L. Smith of Fontana, CA; and Kelvin J. Smith of Kodiak, AK. She has eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildrenJoyce graduated from high school at 15, married Norman Lester Smith on October 15, 1940, and was his Beloved, helpmate, and partner for 57 years before Norman died in 1996. Her vocations were Mother, community health aide, kindergarten teacher, and ordained minister. The purpose and meaning of her life was service to others in the spirit of her Lord.
As the Chief Mate on the Evangel from 1951-1964, she knew all the villages, canneries and isolated settlements in the Kodiak Island archipelago. Joyce Smith and her family lived in Larsen Bay, 1952-1957, and then moved into the former orphanage, Baker Cottage, in Ouzinkie. After moving to Ouzinkie, Joyce was the official preschool and kindergarten teacher from 1957 through 2000.
Joyce Smith loved Christian camping and began her camp leadership work in a camp for inner city Seattle youth in the foothills East of Everett, WA, in the summers of 1949 and 1950. She and Norman were leaders in the first Kodiak area Christian camp at Abercrombie in the summer of 1952. This was followed by camps in the old army barracks on Long Island in 1953-1955 and at Woody Island starting in 1956.
Joyce Elliot Smith was a talented pianist, organist, piano teacher and accompanist. She played for sing-a-longs, kindergarten, church services, and led singing from the organ after Norman died. She raised an extended family or musicians and singers.