Obituary of Joan Smith

Joan (West) Smith, age 78, of Branch, Missouri, went home to be with the Lord Jesus on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at her home in Branch. Joan was born October 25, 1933 in Tunas, Missouri, the daughter of Carl L. and Flora (Hunter) West. Joan was united in marriage to George Smith on September 6, 1953 in Tunas, Missouri, and together they had shared the past 58 years until her passing. Joan grew up with her siblings in Tunas where she attended school and graduated from Tunas High School. She moved to the Kansas City area and while there, she worked for Farmers Insurance Group. After marrying, Joan and George moved to San Antonio, Texas and Joan graduated from Durham Business College. After graduating, she began her work as high school secretary for McCollum High School in San Antonio. Joan was a military wife for nearly 22 years where she and George traveled and moved extensively, including time in Germany and Alaska. They always seemed to return to San Antonio though, and lived there off and on for nearly 30 years, before retiring to Lake of the Ozarks area in 1998. Joan was an expert homemaker and enjoyed sewing, cooking and gardening. She loved entertaining and cooking for family and friends and was known to be one of the best cooks around. Being a devout Christian woman, Joan had a true servant�s heart. She was always there with a helping hand, and a kind word. Joan had always been an active and involved church member through the years. She sang in the choir, played piano, taught Sunday school and in addition to serving on various committees was appointed as Sunday School Director and Church Host. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Camdenton, where she was involved with the J.O.Y Group and served in various capacities. Joan loved her family dearly and more than anything, she enjoyed time spent with them. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother who will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Joan is survived by her loving husband George of the home; one son, George Mike Smith and wife, Ivana, of Knoxville, Tennessee; one brother, Carl D. West of Robinsonville, Mississippi; two sisters, Lela Cobler and husband, Bob, of Osage Beach, Missouri and Carolyn Sue Duff and husband, Byron, of Tunas, Missouri; two grandsons, George Casey Smith and wife, Molly and Evan Hunter Smith; one great-granddaughter, Morgan Smith along with several other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.