page 3)    (ending of Larry's  letter) . . .

. . . As I sit on the front porch steps contemplating on mom's banana puddin' that awaits my christening.

2.)    "A Moment In Memories" by Larry Bennett (Joyce's brother).  Written on 10-1-1987
Across the street from where my mother, two sisters and I lived, was a park -- "Marsh Park".  It was during those days, when the sun was hot on my hair and my pockets filled with colored rocks and half-eaten candy, that numerous friendships and cherished memories were born.  
The "Park" was bordered with a slanted hill where many hours were simply shared with friends lying on our backs and gazing at low drifting lazy clouds as we day dreamed about fame, fortune, and a new bike.  Then, unexpectedly,  for some unknown reason,  "one of the gang" would dive on top of another, thus, engaging in a "free-for-all" and finally 'King of the Mountain".
   If the park's trees were not being climbed to be explored, carved on or used for a shady place to drink a pop, then their purpose would be served in the Autumn for beauty and leaf fights.
     Who could forget the bloating watermelon feast and "Movie Night" with homemade popcorn while sharing your blanket with your best friends.  Or, how about swimming until you were water-
logged and three-hour softball games with twenty on a side with a final score of 47 to 63!  Variety and talent shows - arts and crafts, 
hayrides, bike parades,  pet shows, and if you tired of those festivities, you could easily get "kicked out" of the park for some devilish deed.
     The "park" -- an every day world of fun and laughter filled with lots of freckled faced little people looking for another to share a "Baby  Ruth" with.  
     The sun is slowly sinking in the western sky as the darkened houses begin to appear as lighted jack-o-lanterns, silhoueted trees with their bony finger-like branches reach out toward dusk's pink and velvet blanketed evening sky.
     In the distance, a mother calls out to her daughter, "Time to come in".  "Old Mack"  barks at a tall, thin stranger walking down "Keck's Hill" as I sit on the front porch steps contemplating on mom's




                                                               
1.)    The following letter was handwritten by our brother, Larry Bennett, on 10-1-1987, as a gift to our mother.  These warm memories of Larry's, and countless more, were cherished by Joyce and she could have written volumes of her own special  memories about her childhood.   Larry wrote that these memories would remain forever priceless to us & they truly have.  



Joyce, I've been looking for you for years.  I have fond memories of us hanging out at the park across from your house. And hanging out.  I missed you all these years and couldn't find you.  May you rest in peace.  Sorry I had to find you this way.  Marlene :(

I was so saddened to hear of this. I grew up around the corner from Joyce, and we always hung at Marsh Park together. She always had a smile on her face and was so sweet.
This really hits home. Hugs to the family, you were blessed to have her. I lost touch with her, very sadly. 

My aunt, my friend, my heart. You showed me so much love and understanding. Your laugh, your smile, your selflessness. I really mean this when I say words cannot describe who you were. You were one of a kind and so special. You knew me better than I knew myself and we were very much alike. I only hope to be as beautiful of a soul and as kindhearted as you to others as you have been to me. You are so missed and I love you with my whole heart. 

Joyce, may not have been my blood sister but she was my sister. Her and I had an immediate connection. We could talk about anything and we were there for each other at all times. I will miss her so much. And, I know if her brother could, he would say how much he loves her. Until we meet again , we love you Joyce. 

P.S 
When I get to Heaven with you and after I’ve been reunited with all my loved ones, I want to have a seaweed fight and go tubing❤️❤️

Love and affections...you will be missed, but will always be in my heart and remember the FUN times growing up in Norwood watching the LATE shows on channel 9, using pliers to change the channel on the TV. RIP...Love Steve Haynes and family

In December, Joyce posted this prayer on Facebook.  She loved tropical climates, spicy food, animals, her Appalachian roots, but most of all Family.  

OBITUARY

Joyce Smith

July 22, 1954 – April 20, 2022

Gross Funeral Home

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