.Joy was born in Elizabeth, N.J. to Crill and Margaret Williams on June 4, 1943. She lived and attended school in Linden, N.J., and went on to attend Douglass College for Women for a period of time before pursuing other goals. During that time she met and married Douglas Smith on June 8, 1963 in Linden. Not long after that, Joy and Doug started a family, and Joy went on to teach dance intermittently while raising four children. Her passion for dance led her to open a dance studio of her own, which she ran successfully for many years. After moving to Louisville in 1987, Joy pursued her passion for rabbit breeding and competitive showing, and was secretary of the American Rabbit Breeders Association for several years.
Joy is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Clyde, her youngest son Todd, and her loving husband Doug. Joy and Doug were married for 60 years before his passing in January 2024.
Joy is survived by her son, Glenn Smith; daughters Kerry (Robert Hogan) and Stacy (Christopher Long); daughters-in-law, Dawn Isgrigg Smith and Lena Lane Smith; grandchildren Dale (Ellena) Hogan, Sean Hogan, Lauren Smith, Cameron Smith, Dylan Long, Jacob Long, Ryan Long, Oliver Smith; great grandson Luke Hogan.
Joy was a very generous donor to multiple organizations. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any charity that truly benefits people or animals. Her favorite organization has been Tunnel to Towers
A visitation for Joy will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven, 4400 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40218, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM.
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