Joycelyn M. Smith (Formerly Juzang

Joycelyn M. Smith was born November 9, 1944 in Mobile, Alabama. She was the first born to George W. and Olivette Juzang and baptized at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. She attended St. Peter Claver Elementary School, Heart of Mary High School and Xavier University of New Orleans, Louisiana.

While attending school Joycelyn loved to help her father at his grocery store but he pushed her to focus on academics. She exceled in school, was named "Miss Junior" and dedicated her free time to playing clarinet for the Heart of Mary Marching Band, as a proud member of the "Firehouse Five".

After graduating high school, she made her way to New Orleans to study English Literature at Xavier University. Here, Joycelyn was active on campus with many religious and social organizations. She absolutely loved being a Xavierite and learned so much while on campus. Unfortunately, due to financial hardships with being one of two college students in the family, Joycelyn had to reluctantly leave Xavier in 1964.

She soon made her way up north because her aunt lived in New York City and persuaded her to relocate. Joycelyn worked in Manhattan while exploring with her aunt and uncle and fell in love with New York City. She attended parties and events throughout New York and later worked for the World's Fair in Flushing, Queens. In 1966 at one of these parties, she met Wendell, right out of the service, and the rest is history.

The two were married October of 1967 in a lavish wedding in Mobile, Alabama. They immediately returned to New York and started their family. Even from New York, Joycelyn dedicated her life to her mother and father and tried to never miss celebrating her favorite holiday with the family. Mardi Gras was always the time to return home and attend as many galas, balls and parades that she could. This time of year was always a sort of 'recharge' and she looked forward to spending time with true friends and family in Mobile, especially at The Comrades Ball and as a member of Touch of Pizzazz. One friend shared Joycelyn was such a good person and no matter how bad she was treated she never spoke a bad word about anyone, and this is the way she lived her life.

Joycelyn was always complimented on her poise, sophistication and fashion style. Her best friend, her late brother Johnny, took note of this and made sure she was with him for his annual buyer's events in New York for his haberdashery in Mobile, Reflections, Ltd. This poise was also reflected on the dance floor as Joycelyn could not sit down when the music started. She always loved to dance and carried this rhythm to the very end.

Joycelyn leaves to cherish her wonderful memories a devoted husband of 55 years, Wendell M. Smith; a son, Wendell E. (Keisha) of Maryland; two daughters, Collette V. and Heather D. (Vance), both of New York; two grandchildren, Elijah and Yasmine; two sisters; two brothers; a sister-in-law, Thelma Juzang; a devoted cousin, like a brother, Rickie L. Juzang; lifelong friends, like sisters, Faye Malone, Linda (David) Anderson and Mary Braham; and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Joycelyn's family had a private memorial at her home church in Queens Village, NY in April 2023 after the Easter holiday. Her family will not be having a service in Mobile.