Joan SMITH

Joan Smith

NEBO - Joan Smith, 85, of rural Nebo, IL, died peacefully Tuesday, May 7, 2013, in her home after a hard fought battle against cancer.

Joan was born September 21, 1927, in Granite City, IL, a daughter of Fred T. and Grace Norton Johnson. She married James Harvey Smith on June 30, 1946, in Pittsfield and he died November 1, 1994.

Joan attended schools in Granite City, Nebo and Western Illinois University in Macomb. She taught for one year at Franklin School near Nebo. She was pianist at the Nebo Baptist Church for over 50 years. She also tuned pianos and gave private piano lessons to nearly 200 students.

Joan was a 50-year member of the Pike County Home Extension and she also enjoyed volunteering at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield.

She was a long time member of Nebo Baptist Church and the Women's Missionary Union.

Survivors include her children, Dinah Willard of Springfield, IL, Scott Smith of Salt Lake City, UT, Elaine (Raymond) Carty of Hannibal, MO, and Carl (Joanne) Smith of Nebo; her grandchildren, Joshua Willard, Ashly Midiri, Sydney Smith, Brooke Gheens, Devan Carty, Shamus Smith and Megan Smith; and her great grandchildren, Kegan Willard, Logan Willard, Adler Boatman, Camden Gheens and Julia Midiri.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a sister, Shirley Marshall.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Nebo Baptist Church conducted by Pastors Don Hannel, Darin Workman, Michael Rutledge and Jesse Hill.

Burial will follow at the Nebo Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill.

Memorials may be made to the Nebo Baptist Church or to Blessing Hospice of Pike County.

Lummis Funeral Home in Pleasant Hill, IL, is handling the arrangements.