On January 28, 2021, Joyce Smith Pittman went home to rest in the arms of Jesus. Death has no sting, as she has entered a joyful eternity with her heavenly Father, where she will again see her loved ones that preceded her.

She was born on November 17, 1932 in Prince Edward County, VA and lived there until attending nursing school in Newport News. There she met the love of her life, Richard E. Pittman "Dick". She was married for 58 years to Dick, until his passing in 2008.

She is survived by her daughter and beloved son-in-law, Jennifer and Robin Blair of Hampton; her son and beloved daughter-in-law, Jeff and Kathy Pittman of Roswell,GA. Her surviving grandchildren include, Julia Blair White and her husband Nick, of Newport News, Gabriel Blair of Hampton, Brad Pittman and his wife Stephanie, of Marietta, GA, Nolan Pittman and Reed Pittman and his wife Callie, of Nashville, TN. She is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren.

She and Dick traveled the world during his military service including time in the Philippines, where they grew to love the Far East. They visited there many times after their retirement, often taking their grandchildren with them to introduce them to different cultures. She and Dick also journeyed to Europe as well as all over the United States. They lived for many years on Marion Hill, overlooking the city of Richmond, a magical place with land, a wonderful farm house and barn. Their grandchildren loved going to Grandmother and Grandaddy's to visit. Joyce and Dick also were very active in the Lions organization, where they both served as district governor in the state of Virginia, giving of their time in service to others.

She was a woman of incredible courage and determination, and lived a life full of compassion for others and genuine joy in the friendships she made and the lives she affected. Her sincerity and kindness to others was appreciated by all that knew her. One of the hallmarks of her personality was that she never knew a stranger. She was friendly and welcoming to all she met, no matter their station of life, and her love for people knew no boundaries of social status, race or material wealth, proving her faith in God by the way she cared for people.

She loved her family with gentleness, insight and encouragement. She was gracious and kind and an unbelievable cook. She was forever available to her children for advice and reflection and always showed them an incredible sense of love and affirmation. Living out the Smith family tradition, she was a terror at the card table, where she took no prisoners. All her family knows she made the best creamed corn, Brunswick stew and barbecue-eastern Carolina style-ever. Her presence with them, every day and holidays, always meant there was joy and laughter. She was a voracious reader, and her mind was brilliant and sharp, a trait that lasted all her life. She loved music, good film and sang on live radio as a teenager.

She enjoyed a rich and rewarding career as an educator. She served at every level in the Department of Education in the state of Virginia. She began her career teaching in the city of Hampton and then in Fairfax County after Dick was transferred to the Washington, D. C. area by the Air Force. She earned her masters degree at American University and rose to lead Fairfax Elementary, the oldest elementary school in Fairfax County. After Dick retired, they moved to Richmond where she worked in the state department of Education, evaluating school systems. Ultimately, she returned to life as a principal in Chesterfield County, where she continued to make long-standing friendships with teachers and administrators. She was loved by her students who knew that she would always treat them fairly and compassionately. She cared deeply for children and was fascinated by their differences in personality, background and life situation. Six decades after she taught students, they were still staying in touch with her and telling her that they cared for her and they had been so positively affected by her care and love for them.

She chaired the Henrico County Library Association for a decade and was a forty-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a sorority for women in education, where she served as chapter president.

The last several years of her life were marked by difficult physical challenges. No matter what came her way, she always responded with, "this too shall pass". She kept a sunny and positive disposition and was loved by her caregivers and the residents of The Hidenwood and The Newport, the last two stops on her journey.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to a Children's Charity of your choice, the Lions Club International, or to the Hope Center in Woodstock, GA.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.