Services for Joyce Ann Fox Smith, 78, of Downsville, LA, will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, June 1, 2026, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston. Officiating will be Bro. Allen Miller. Interment will follow at Downsville Cemetery under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes. A visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 AM till 11:00 AM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel.
Joyce was born October 2, 1947, in Oak Grove, LA, and passed away on May 26, 2026, after a brief illness. Joyce was a housewife and mother before starting work at Downsville High School Cafeteria. She worked most of her career in the insurance industry before retiring from Louisiana Insurance in Ruston.
She enjoyed her grandchildren and traveling. She was an active member of The Council on Aging of Union Parish. She enjoyed painting and gaming events with the council members and playing card games with her special friends. She also was an active member of Downsville Baptist Church.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Fox and stepmother Paulina Fox; mother, Nell Corbin; sister, Marilyn Frith; husband, James “Smitty“ Smith; son, Kevin Earl Smith; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Sheridan Smith; and grandson, Derek Holbron.
Joyce and James were happily married for 54 years until his death in 2018.
Left to cherish her memories are her son, Jamie Smith and wife Jennifer of Choudrant, LA; grandchildren, Michael and Jeremy Smith of Ruston, LA, Dean Smith of Calhoun, LA and fiancé to be, Abby Hood of Ruston, LA, Miranda Smith of Choudrant, LA; siblings, Bobby Fox and wife Jackie of Downsville, LA, Gary Fox and wife Lenora of Clinton, LA, Cheryl Fox Trull and husband David of Dry Prong, LA.
Joyce will be missed by her family, community and friends.
Pallbearers will be Dean Smith, Dewayne Pauley, Ashton Fox, Daniel Hinton, Rickey Gunter, and Russ Barnes. Honorary Pallbearer will be Brian Fox.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be to Downsville Baptist Church, or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
