Joyce Ann Duckworth Smith was born December 24, 1931, to Timothy Amzy Duckworth and Mary Magdalene (Herb) Duckworth in their home in Wilson County, Kansas. She was the third of seven children.

She attended eight grades of school in the Middletown District, four years of high school in Fredonia, Kansas, and two years of nursing school at Bethany Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. She was an active member of the Sky Rocket 4-H Club for 9 years.

On September 22, 1951, she married Forrest L. Smith at the Christian Church in Fredonia, Kansas. They first lived in Superior, Nebraska, where Forrest taught Veterans On The Farm Training. Later they relocated to Holton, Kansas, where Forrest took a job with the Farmers Home Administration. Their son, Craig W. Smith, was born on October 25, 1952, at the Moser Clinic in Holton, Kansas. They were required to move to Oskaloosa, Kansas, to be in the main office at Jackson County. The next year in May, they were transferred to Hill City, Kansas, and spent six months there. Forrest then took a job with the Scully Estates office in Marion, Kansas, as assistant manager and soil conservationist, and was named supervisor in 1979. Forrest remained at this position until retirement in 1993.

Joyce worked 2½ years as an office nurse for Dr. Charles Magee. She took leave from this position to have her second son, Marc Lee Smith, on February 9, 1959. Other jobs that Joyce held were: clerk of Hannaford Abstract Company, teller at the Marion National Bank, bookkeeper for Theis and Tice accounting firm, and part-time secretary for the Wheeler and Wheeler Attorneys. She would retire in 1993.

Joyce was a long time member of the Christian Church, baptized at Fredonia, Kansas, and changed membership at the move to Marion. She served in many capacities at the church: Sunday school teacher for the primary department, Bible school teacher and superintendent, assistant and leader of the youth groups, Chi Rho, and leader of CYF while her sons were attending. Joyce held various offices in the Christian Women’s Fellowship.

She was a member of Twentieth Century Club, Chapter DB P.E.O., St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She held various offices in each organization.

Her hobbies were playing golf, playing bridge, and crocheting. Many friends and family have received a gift of her afghans.

Forrest passed away March 27, 2012. She would then relocate to Topeka, Kansas, to be closer to family. She still maintained many close friendships in Marion.

She was also preceded in death by brothers, Timothy Amzy Duckworth, Jr., and Donald L. Duckworth.

On September 4, 2014, Joyce passed away as a result of injuries sustained in an auto accident near Hillsboro, Kansas.

She leaves a family of two sons, Craig W. Smith and his wife Sherry; and Marc L. Smith and his wife Dawn; eight grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild; and three step-great-grandchildren; brothers, Glen R. Duckworth, and Gary L. Duckworth; and sisters, Shirley Tindle, and Kay England.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2014, at the Marion Christian Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 9 a.m. until service time. Interment will be in the Marion Cemetery.

Memorial funds have been established for the Marion City Library or the Marion Christian Church in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.