Last Updated on December 7, 2014 by
June 1, 1943 Joyce Faye Owens Smitherman was born to Doris and Lester Owens. Their lives and ours were forever changed.
Today we are left to celebrate her life.
Daddy, you celebrate with special memories as only a husband and best friend of 50+ years can do. 
Aunt Jane, you hold a lifetime of memories that only sisters can know and understand. Uncle Bobby, you share many of those memories having shared most of that time as family. 
Sharon, you and I remember a mother who taught us, that above all else we might do, to live our highest calling as a wife and mother. Our husbands, David and Eric, celebrate with us thankful for the blessing of a godly mother-in-law. 
German, you celebrate as a special son remembering the one who became your spiritual mother. 
Seven of you celebrate as grandchildren. Jon Eric, Jake, JuliAnna, Maddie, Caleb, Alex, and Anna. Each of you has very special memories of time spent with a grandmother who taught you that grandmothers, at least this one, can do anything. 
Others of you celebrate as very special nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, life-long friends, neighbors, and brothers and sisters in Christ.. You, too, have your own special memories.
Whatever our relationship with her we all know that she loved her Lord, her family, her church, her friends and her life. We’re all better people in some way for having known her and been loved by her.
In her 69+ years she was fully alive. She worked hard when it was time to work and played hard when it was time to play. She had the gift of hospitality and exercised it faithfully and generously.
Whether you knew her as Faye or Momma, or Nanny; Miss Faye, or Mrs. Smitherman you knew when you were around her that she understood what Jesus meant when He said, “I have come that you might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10.
69 years fully alive.
June 1, 1943 – December 3, 2012
 In the days ahead it will be natural for us to mourn her death and our loss.
But in the spirit of celebration we are confident today that she has never been more alive.
I too lost my mother in December, the 7th, 19 yrs ago, her birthday was Dec. 11th. I thought it would make December harder, sadder. The year she died, for the first time, I felt truly free to worship God and His son’s birth, having my mom in heaven. I know that sounds strange but a connection was made with heaven….it became real. All the tinsel, gifts and trappings of Christmas began to blur and my Lord and Savior came more into focus. I still remember that very difficult time of releasing her hand but I found that our hearts were tethered together in a way that even death cannot break. Christmas has a new meaning, relationships have a new meaning for me. So, even through my loss, I can be thankful and praise God for giving me yet another gift.
Carla, thank you for sharing. I can relate to everything you’ve said. She loved Christmas so much. I can only imagine how she is celebrating now. Thank you for helping me “see” it today.
Not many women can out ride almost all the men who choose to go four wheeling with Mrs Faye! She added new truth the term a “strong woman”! I think I even remember JC hollering ” Faye throw me a rope so I can get out of this hole”
My life has been immeasurably enriched by this wonderful family and Mrs. Faye truly was and will always be the matriarch!
Stacy
This was beautiful and special, you and Sharon will miss her but you will see her again one day.
Dear Stacy,
I have been praying for you, your father, and family. Thank you for sharing this with us. I now know where much of your beauty and strength have come from.
Love,
Kan
Stacy, so sorry for your loss, thanks for sharing such a sweet story and wonderful pictures. This blessed my heart. Hope all is good with you and yours!
So sorry for your loss but what a wonderful tribute to your Mom. Love and prayers to you and your family.
Beautiful! Just beautiful!!
Stacy and family….I am only this minute finding out about your loss. I don’t know how I missed it. My love and prayers to all of you. You were certainly lucky to have such an awesome mom…etc. May God Bless You All.
Well said Stacy! What a legacy of faithfulness and love!