Melba 'Joyce' Smith's Obituary
Melba Joyce was born February 1, 1931 and the only child of Herschel O. and Bertha M. Williams in Allen, Texas. She played basketball in high school and loved sports and especially the Dallas Cowboys and Mavericks. She also took the trophy for Dr. Pepper Queen in high school, graduating from the class of ’49 as the Salutatorian, which she never cared if anyone knew these achievements. She was noticed by Gene Skelton from his crop duster plane as she and her mother stood in their yard one spring day but didn’t come to marry him until he returned from his service in the Army. The couple began a letter friendship until he returned to the States. She attended Draughon Business College. They married in the mid 50’s, moved to Garland where they lived on Hilltop, with best friends purchasing the home next door. They welcomed their son, Craig, and daughter, Lark. Joyce was the best mother and a good neighbor in Garland and Richardson. She was also devoted and proud of her parents and served both, whenever they needed her. After the passing of her husband in 1961, she joined Parents Without Partners and met the love of her life, Billy F. Smith, also a widower, with a young son, Alan.On January 29, 1965, Bill and Joyce married in the new home they built and shared in Richardson until yesterday. They enjoyed a busy life with three children and after the children graduated and started their lives; Joyce and Bill had many adventures with trips to Europe and Hawaii, sometimes spur of the moment as Bill was then retired Air Force had access to military travel options. They also had untold trips to Colorado Springs Air Force Academy each October, Branson, Missouri and Florida with her mother. Joyce was a great planner and companion to Bill. She was active in her community, a great cook and kept an immaculate home that she enjoyed.Joyce loved being a homemaker and especially family dinners and looked forward to watching all the sporting events of Dallas on TV. Joyce and Bill were devoted and long time members of Waterview Church of Christ. They were thankful and appreciated all the food, friendship, prayers and endless visits from members during the last few years.Preceded in death by her first husband, Gene Skelton in 1961; her son, Craig Skelton in 2012; daughter-in-law, Sandi Smith in 2015 and granddaughter, Stormie Schott in 2001. She is survived by her husband, Billy Smith, daughter and “son”, Lark and Robert Schott, and son, Alan Smith along with granddaughters Libby, Kate and husband Bert, and great-grandsons Jacob, Christian, and Matthew.Joyce was faithful and good, all of her days and has now gone home to be with God.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:Parkinson’s Foundation https://www.parkinson.orgorROBERT AND WILLORA OGLESBY FOUNDATION INC. 1409 N WATERVIEW DR, RICHARDSON, TX 75080-3904A celebration of her life will be on Monday, July 29, 2019 in the Restland Memorial Chapel at 2:30 pm with interment in Woodland Garden. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019 from 1 – 4 pm.Funeral arrangements have been faithfully entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery, which is located at 13005 Greenville Avenue, at the intersection of Restland Road, Dallas, Texas 75243.
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