Obituary of Joan L. Smith

Joan L. Smith was born in Charleston S.C. on August 26, 1942 as the only child of the late Leon Smith and Lillian Smith. She attended Charleston County School and served as a member of Ebenezer A.M.E Church in the Palmetto District of South Carolina; while she sang in the choir and ushered. Joan was married to Robert Rice from California and she leaves in mourning one brother Randolph Chapman, two children, Pastor Elaine Harvey (son in-law, Rev. Dr. Herbert Harvey Sr.) of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Charleston and Leonard Rice of Kingston N.Y. She is the grandmother of seven grandchildren: the late Herbert Harvey Jr., Latasha E. Harvey, Karen R. Harvey, Stephanie Harvey, Arias Nelson, Charisse Bruce, Jase Rice. She was also the great grandmother of five great grand's: Laila Harvey, Anthony Harvey, Tionna Harvey, Toniya Harvey, Arias Nelson and the newborn Oct. 3, 2013 Timothy Bailey, She was the niece of the late Edna Brown, Yvonne Smith and Ulysses (Alice) Smith, special cousin Robin Lawrence and a host of cousins and many friends. Joan L. Smith resided in Ellenville, New York for over 50 years and was very active and involved in many organizations. As a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church, she served on the trustee board, worked at Arthur Mulligan's Bus Company as a monitor. She was on the board of the Housing Authority, National Committee person, member of the NAACP, founder of the 101 Black Women on the move, Ellenville Democratic Committee, African American Men's Association. She also was an entrepreneur with a cleaning business called Tootie White Glove Cleaning Service. Joan was a freedom fighter and wanted justice for all people. She has touched many people and will truly be missed. May her spirit live on through us. Visitation will be on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 60 Berme Road, Ellenville, NY from 10:00am -12:00pm. A funeral service will follow at 12:00pm at the church. Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home for further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialmemorialfuneralhome.com.