Joan Smith Schwartz

Joan Smith Schwartz peacefully passed away March 9, 2020 at Community Hospice Riverside after a long battle with Vascular Dementia. She was 83 years old. She was born April 1, 1936 in Washington, Georgia to Mildred and Alfred Marsden Smith.

We can’t say that she lost this battle because she never quit fighting. It didn’t matter if she didn’t eat for days on end, she never gave up. From this we saw what resilience and perseverance truly looked like. Just because Joan is no longer with us doesn’t mean she lost her fight.

Joan began a very long career with AT&T as an International Operator. She loved talking to people, so it was a perfect fit. She loved art, so she painted. She loved music, so she sang. She loved celebrities and famous people, so she read their autobiographies. She loved being outside, so she gardened. Even some little stick weed would come to life and bloom for her. She loved her family and get-togethers, even for a cup of coffee. She was a wonderful mother, sister and friend. She will be missed by many. May her memory live on in each and every one of you.

She is predeceased by her parents Mildred and Marsden Smith; sister, Myrna; brother, Ronnie; and daughter, Susan.

Surviving family members are her sister, Nancy Frady; brother, Donald Smith (Emma); brother-in-law, James Robbins; daughters, Pam (Kenny) Wedenfeller & Julie (Bill) Jimerson); son, Mike Martin; grandchildren, Jason (Sandy), Amy & William Wedenfeller, Jordan & Molly Jimerson; great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Andrew and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her most beloved Silky Sylvia, her cat.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 19th at St. Joseph’s Historic Catholic Church, 4214 Loretto Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32223.