Arrangements for the funeral of Joyce Smith
Thursday 3rd December 2020 11am
St Laurence Church, Northfield
Joyce’s family will be attending a ceremony at St Laurence’s Church on 3rd December to say goodbye to her. A private cremation will follow the church service.
Sadly due to the current coronavirus pandemic, funerals are being limited to 30 attendees, so the service is by invite only.
Joyce’s family are aware of how well known and loved she was within her community, and so would like to share some photos and a short video of Joyce below.
The funeral cars will be passing by Colmore School around 10.30am for anyone who would like to wish Joyce a fond farewell. If you do this, please ensure to park safely and adhere to social distancing measures.
If you wish to do something in Joyce’s memory – please donate to Lucky Tails via the link below. Lucky Tails is a farm which cares for many animals and aims to provide knowledge of farming to city kids. Lucky Tails has taken many of Joyce’s 400 birds to care for since she has died.
A Song for Joyce
The lovely pupils at Colmore School have recorded a song for Joyce which will be played at St Laurence’s Church during Joyce’s funeral service on 3rd December,
It deserves to be shared more widely, so please do listen by clicking the media player on this page. You can also read the words by clicking this link.
Colmore Choir singing Prince of Peace for Joyce
Joyce’s family welcome any tributes, words of remembrance and stories about her so do feel free to leave any messages at the bottom of this webpage. (Please note comments are moderated so do not go live immediately)
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The whole of our community are so sad that Joyce has been taken from us and want to pay tribute to the many years of dedicated service she has offered Colmore, keeping our children safe and forming relationships with families that will be remembered forever. We stand by you in your grief but smile because we had the chance to be a part of such a wonderful life. Rest in peace wonderful Joyce
Love Colmore Schools xxx
Nan, I dont quite know yet what I’m going to do without you. You was the most amazing Nan to me. You shaped my life and so grateful to have had you for 37 years. Thank you for being you.
Love you so much, until we meet again xxxx
Dear Tony and Joyce’s lovely family.
Sending kind thoughts to you all. What a lovely lady Joyce was. Night night, kind lady of the animals and birds. Xx
Having been a Childminder for many years I have had the pleasure of knowing Joyce for about 14 years. All the children in my care loved seeing Joyce..her big smile and her wishing the children a good day was part of their day. We would make her cards for Christmas and in the summer and she would laugh at the comments they would write like ‘thank you Joyce that we didn’t die on the road..’ I would also teach the children about road safety – and they like ‘playing Joyce’. Joyce was a lovely lady who turned up for her job regardless of the weather. She had a big smile with a loud voice who could shout at any motorist who put any of us in danger. Thank you Joyce..I will always remember you xx
Sleep peacefully Joyce. My children have very fond memories of visiting “ Joyce and grandad ‘s zoo “ when they were little. You always took the time to share your passion for animals and let Will, Izzy and George feed them. Thank you for your kindness and many cups of tea and chats over the years.
Much love
Mandie, Steve, Will,Izzy and George xxxxx
It is with great sadness that our family heard of the death of Joyce. We have known Joyce during all of the seven years that our grandson was at Colmore School. Joyce did a vital yet dangerous job for little recompense; her job as a school traffic warden was an absolutely essential one. It meant that parents with older children could occasionally send them to school by themselves, secure in the knowledge that they would be seen across the Howard and Colmore Roads safely. It meant that younger children, accompanied by their parents or grandparents, would be carefully supervised as they crossed. Joyce’s job was indeed a dangerous one. On many, many occasions we have witnessed impatient and uncaring motorists ignoring her crossing sign and driving past her at speed, putting our children and their parents at risk. It upset her greatly, for Joyce cared deeply about her job, and could not understand their selfishness. Whether the sun shone, whether it rained, snowed or hailed, Joyce was there for us. When Joyce was occasionally absent because of illness, we all noticed and asked after her. Every one of us appreciated her. Joyce and her fellow crossing wardens all over the country are the true unsung heroes of our time. Thank you, Joyce, from the Fowler family.
When you strode out into the road, children shouted their thanks. You chastised impatient lorries. We watched in admiration. One day someone shouted, ‘thank you for putting your life on the line for us!’ We knew just what was meant. You were a guardian in wellington boots, bearing your STOP sign like a flag before an advancing army. We knew you had a life besides us. But, to us, your spirit still stands in the middle of the road, commanding the traffic.
My spirits soared every time I saw Joyce -formidably- on duty. Yes, formidable towards any impatient motorist.
Joyce WAS the school run with grandson Rafael.Always she had a warm word for everyone.
Our hearts will be full indeed also whenever CBSO concerts recommence since, for Yvonne and myself -and many others- as an usher there she completed that music experience.
Her dogs will so much miss her too.
Joyce will still be there for us; we only have to look carefully enough.
Joyce WAS the school run. She was formidable towards any motorist unwise enough to cross her.
My spirits soared to see her on all those mornings with grandson Rafael- always a warm word and a smile. For Yvonne and me no CBSO concert was complete without her as usher; for us she will always still be there. For the children, parents AND grandparents also. We all just need to look hard enough. Her dogs will miss her too.
Lovely Joyce. You were always such a high spot in our day and we looked forward to exchanging a few words with you as you crossed us all safely across the road. My two daughters , my family and the numerous children I have looked after over the years were so sad to hear we wouldn’t be seeing you anymore. Livvy was out today waving you off and has tied all her favourite ribbons to the railing just for you. You were simply a wonderful, determined lady and you will be so missed by the whole Colmore community. Rest in peace lovely lady.
Our love and thoughts go out to Joyce’s family and everyone who was blessed to have known her. Xxx