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The service for Ms. Campbell will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the White Rock Baptist Church Scholarship Fund in honor of this life-long educator.
Joyce Ann Smith Campbell was born on June 21, 1942 and departed this life for her heavenly home on July 4, 2021. She was a faithful daughter, friend, educator and beloved member of the White Rock Baptist Church family.
Joyce was born in Statesville, N.C. to Anabell Clark and John Odis Smith but she lost her birthmother at a tender age. Her young widowed father, married the lovely Mary Hester Livas of Durham, sealing the mother and daughter bond forever. Both Joyce’s parents were Durham city school educators, avid readers, churchgoing, civic minded and actively engaged in community service. It is under their watch that Joyce nurtured her own passion for reading, teaching and service. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her big brother Odis Nathaniel “Nate.”
Joyce is a proud Hillside High School graduate, Class of 1960. How she loved those mighty Hornets! She recalled her high school days with glee whenever you mentioned the name. Even with her declining memory, she could rattle off names of school friends from photos. Joyce loved her alma mater and helped organize many class reunions and functions over the years. Joyce completed her bachelor’s degree at Hampton University (then Hampton Institute), Class of 1964. Following graduation from this illustrious institution, she moved to Philadelphia and dedicated the next 30 years to a career as an Early Childhood Education Teacher in the Philadelphia School System.
Joyce loved to travel with her family and friends. She also had a flair for the arts, frequented Broadway productions and belonged to a theatre group in Philadelphia where she perfected her masterful and dramatic storytelling. Joyce was an avid reader and could keep young children mesmerized for hours with her captivating and powerful voice which brought stories to life. She was widely known for her witty retorts that always made her friends laugh.
Joyce retired and returned to Durham to take care of her parents, but she continued to share her talents by teaching part-time at local elementary schools. At White Rock, Joyce was instrumental in helping with the Summer Enrichment Camp. She assisted in registration and as a lead teacher in morning devotion and in academic assignments. Joyce was known to have an inspiring command of the classroom. She combined a loving Christian spirit with her skills as an educator. Once her health declined in 2017, though church visits were limited, she and her mother could be seen on occasion, attending worship service, and special events.
She leaves to mourn her cousins, Dr. Claudina Young Wallace, New York, Martha Wharton (Maryland), Donna Wharton-Fields, David Wharton, Nicole Livas and family (Norfolk, VA), sister-in-law, Anne O. Smith, (Raleigh, NC), close family friends Alexine Miller, Rev. Dr. Adolphus Smith and wife Jessie, (Creedmoor) NC.
The family extends its gratitude to the entire White Rock Baptist Church family for all of the acts of kindness shown toward the Smith family over the years. We are especially thankful to Ms. Ruthie Ward and her family for their loving health care of Joyce.
It truly does take a village to care for each other. Thank you for being part of our village.
Interment at Beechwood Cemetery.
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To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Ann (Smith) Campbell, please visit our floral store.