Joan Elizabeth (Carver) Smith

Joan Elizabeth (nee Carver) Smith, 80 years old, of Creal Springs, Illinois passed away at Heartland Regional Hospital on December 10, 2023.  Joan was born in Corydon, Indiana on March 7, 1943, the daughter of Paul and Adarene (nee Ozment) Carver. She graduated Corydon High School in 1961 and went on to receive her certificate in business from a business school in Louisville, Kentucky.

Joan married Harold Gene Smith on September 4, 1965, in Mauckport, Indiana.  Together they shared fifty-five years of marriage before his passing on January 2, 2021.      They raised two daughters, Tammy and Patty.    They were active members of Creal Springs Assembly of God, where she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher.  Joan worked as a payroll clerk for Brushy Creek Mine, Classic Coal Mine, Liberty Coal.  She also worked as a noon time supervisor at Creal Springs School. She was on the committee that planned the beautification of Creal Springs Park.

She enjoyed vegetable gardening, canning, and tending to her flower beds.  She loved her family and her grandkids dearly.  She encouraged them to not only strive for their goals but to accomplish them.  She did this by being present at every event they were involved in over the years.  She instilled in them to be proud of who they are and where they came from. She had ears that truly listened, arms that always held and love that’s never ending.

Survivors include her daughters Tammy (Jerry) Needham; Patty (Jeff) Bundren; grandchildren Chasity Needham, Darcy Byrn, Jordan Bundren, Lexie Bundren; great grandchildren Alayna – Belle Needham, Sophia Needham, Nicholys Byrn, Levi Byrn; special nieces and nephews Christy Holmes, Barry Holmes, Mike Tanner, Donnie Tanner, Sharon Tanner; great nieces and nephews Brianna Holmes, Courtney and Jason Whiting; great- great nephews Easton Dalton, Braxton Dalton, Oakley Dalton; and close family friends Austyn Kuder and Lucas Crow.

She is preceded in death by her husband Harold Gene; mother Adarene Carver; father Paul Carver; brother Donny Carver; sister-in-law Helen Tanner; brother-in-law Poncho Tanner.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, from 11:00 – 1:00 PM at Binkley-Ross Funeral Home located at 1702 West Boulevard Street, Marion, Illinois. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM, with Eddie Donelson officiating.  Burial will follow immediately at Cana Cemetery on Route 166.

In lieu of customary remembrances the family requests with gratitude that memorial donations be directed to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Visit www.binkleyross.com to leave online condolences.