Leona Joyce Smith

On April 27, 2023, in Coalgate, Oklahoma, Leona Joyce Smith passed from this life to life eternal with her greatest love, the Lord Jesus Christ. She was 91 years old.

Leona Joyce Barber was born September 9, 1931, in Collingsworth County in Texas on the old home place of her grandparents, Roy and Gracie Wood. She was the only child of Earl and Georgia Barber. At the age of 12, the family moved to Claude, Texas, and on April 17, 1949, she married Leroy Nelson Bell at the First United Methodist Church in Claude. To this union were born 2 children, Connie Bell Guffy of Canyon, Texas, and Larry Leroy Bell of Denison, Texas. Joyce married James Wilburn Smith on March 29, 1992, and they were married until the time of his death on January 3, 2009.

Joyce loved her Lord with all her heart and faithfully served Him. She taught an adult Sunday School Class at Cottonwood Baptist Church for over 40 years. In 1979, she began leading a worship service for the residents of Ruth Wilson Hurley Manor in Coalgate and served in that ministry as much as possible until 2020. Joyce worked for the City of Coalgate as a secretary for police and fire department, court clerk, and dispatcher from 1977 until 1992. She boldly shared her Savior’s grace to all. She was a living witness to family, friends, co-workers, residents of the manor, and to all with whom she had contact. Joyce loved her church, her family and especially her beloved sweetheart, Bob Trail.

She is survived by her children, Connie Guffy and husband Ted of Canyon, Texas and Larry Bell of Denison, Texas; two adored step sons, Charles (Gloria) Smith of Branson, Missouri and Russell (Patricia) Smith of Poteau,Oklahoma; two grandsons, Clint Hukill and Larry Paul Bell; one granddaughter, Lindi Berry and six great grandchildren. She deeply loved and adopted all of Charles and Russell’s families, as well as the extended family of her sweetheart, Bob Trail.

Funeral services were held Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Brown’s Funeral Chapel in Coalgate, Oklahoma with Brother Eddie Hogue officiating. Interment was at Coalgate Cemetery following the service. Pallbearers were Eddie Hogue, Robert Hampton, Johnny Ward, Basil Coplen, Kevin Wood and Mark Trail. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Trail, Ted Guffy and Floyd Campbell.

Donations in honor of her life and legacy should be sent to the Cottonwood Baptist Church, P.O. Box 169, Coalgate, Oklahoma 74538.