Joyce White

Joyce White, 71, of Blytheville passed from this life on Monday, March 5, 2018 at NEA Hospital in Jonesboro. She was born in Ripley, Mississippi on December 14, 1946 to Sam Carl Smith and Velma Jean McMillan Smith.

She was disabled at the time of her death, but for many years she was head housekeeper for various hotel chains and nursing homes. She attended the Heartland Church in Gosnell.

As a child, she loved horses and horseback riding. In fact, she loved all animals. She had a pet pig her Dad called “Squealie.” Being the youngest of 13 children, she was quite spoiled, however, she still had to pick cotton like the rest of the kids.

As an adult, she enjoyed music of all kinds; she loved to dance and she liked going to karaoke. Some of her favorite things were ME TV, porcelain dolls, and going to casinos . Her favorite foods were jelly beans, frito chili-cheese pie, cheesecake, and coconut cake. She liked flowers but was especially fond of all types of plants. She was an avid fan of wrestling and her favorite wrestler was Stone Cold Steve Austin.

She was a very loving and caring person. She was all about family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was “Nana” to all of them.

She was preceded in death by her parents and eleven siblings.

She is survived by two sons: Duane Dickens (and Debi) of Sweeney, Texas and Robert Perry (and Frances) of Blytheville, Arkansas;

two daughters: Carolyn Grimes (and Donald) of Blytheville, Arkansas and Tammy Bowers (and Bill) of Frogville, Oklahoma;

ten grandchildren: Erick Hood (and Crystal) of Blytheville, Arkansas, Michelle Malondando (and Chris) of Florida, Tiffany Britt (and Justin) of Gosnell, Arkansas, Nicole Polston (and Joshua) of Florida, Robbie Dickens of Texas, J.P. Stearns of Durant, Oklahoma, Steven Hood of Frogville, Oklahoma, Sylvia Perry of Blytheville, Arkansas, Cheyenne Bowers of Frogville, Oklahoma, and Tamra Perry of Blytheville, Arkansas;

and 15 great grandchildren; and

one brother: Frank Smith (and Earline) of Conway, Arkansas.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Carney Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Rev. Danny Pankey.