Joyce Ruth Watkins Smith November 30, 1926 - January 24, 2025 Joyce Ruth Watkins Smith, 98, of Canton, Mississippi, passed peacefully into Jesus’s arms on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Madison County Nursing Home in Canton, Mississippi. Affectionately known to her family and friends as “Meme,” she lived a faith-based life with her Holy Bible by her side. Born on November 30, 1926, in Lena, Mississippi, Joyce was the daughter of Henry Sanders Watkins and Mayola Babb Watkins. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dudley Smith. Joyce is survived by her daughter, Kyra Gordon (Charles) of Madison, Mississippi, son, Reggie Smith (Donna) of Hammond, Louisiana, and grandchildren: Dawn Russell (Dale) of Madison, Valley Hildebrand (Taylor) of Madison, Kevin Smith (Pam) of Pearl, Brady Smith of Brandon, and Haley Lanter (Jon) and Conner Taylor of Hammond, Louisiana. Her greatest joys were her eight great grandchildren: Ruby Magee, Chase Russell, Pearl Magee, Rhett Russell, Shepherd Hildebrand, and Wells, Channing, and Jett Lanter. Family was everything to Meme. Meme shared her caring heart everywhere she went and touched many people along the way. She loved taking care of others and was a true prayer warrior. Her walk with Jesus was daily and could be seen within her sweet spirit. Coming from her grassroots upbringing, she blessed and taught us all so much with her many talents that included cooking, sewing, quilting, and gardening. She always had a sharp mind using her secretarial and bookkeeping skills well past her retirement from teaching and other positions within county and state agencies. Our heartfelt thanks go to the staff at the Madison County Nursing Home and the “Family of Friends” who would take the time to love on her with their visits, calls, and other expressions of kindness. Joyce enjoyed her affiliation with First Baptist Church of Canton. The staff and members who embraced her and gave her the gift of Christian friendship and love in her later years were truly a blessing. Visitation will be Friday, January 31, at 10:00 at Natchez Trace Funeral Home with her Celebration of Life following at 11:00. Interment will be at Pearl Hill Cemetery in Carthage, Mississippi at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 377, Canton, Mississippi 39046. Joyce’s service will also be live streamed via www.NatchezTraceFuneralHome.com