Joy Elizabeth Smith

Joy Elizabeth Smith, age 89 of Tipp City, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on December 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on August 3, 1936 to James and Gladys (Hurst) Wamack in San Toy, Ohio. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Joy lived her life with a steadfast Christian faith that guided her every step.

Joy and her beloved husband, Robert Dale Smith, shared seventy-one years of love, dedication, and family. Together they raised seven children, whom she cherished deeply. She is survived by her husband, Robert, her siblings, Linda (Wamack) Ragsdale and Joseph Wamack, and her daughters Tamara Smith, Keeley (Kenneth) Bristow, and Billi Jo Lemaster. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Gladys, her siblings, Maude (Wamack) Peters, Jimmy Wamack, Jerome Wamack, and Rosalie (Wamack) Waterman, and grandson Joseph Riddlebarger. She also held particularly close the memories of her four children who preceded her in death, Debra Fries, Terri Johnson, Robert Smith II, and Pamela Denney.

A proud and loving grandmother, Joy leaves behind almost seventy-five grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy and filled her with laughter, warmth, and purpose.

Joy’s faith was the foundation of her life. She loved going to church, teaching Sunday school, singing, praying, reading her Bible, and sharing fellowship with friends who became extended family. Her indomitable spirit, unwavering kindness, and devotion to God were evident in the way she cared for others and in the peace she carried in her heart.

Joy Elizabeth Smith will be remembered for her compassion, her strength, and the love she gave so freely to the people around her. Her legacy of faith and family will live on in all who had the blessing of knowing her.

A memorial service will be held at the Piqua Apostolic Temple, located at 830 Covington Ave, Piqua. The service will commence at 11:00am on December 20, 2025. Send donations to Dayton Hospice of Ohio.