Joyce (Smiley) Linville

Marjorie Joyce Smiley Linville, age 91, of Cynthiana, met her heavenly Father, at the gate of heaven August 2, 2022.  She was born in Nicholas County to the late Clarence and Elsie Fryman Smiley. Joyce was preceded in death by her late husband of 59 years, Henry Forrest “Buddy” Linville, Jr.; three sisters: Betty Patrick, Carolyn Young, and Wilma Bodker; four brothers: Garnett Smiley, Wendell Smiley, Lowell Smiley and Gerald “Chuck” Smiley.

Joyce is survived by her children; Gary (Donna) Linville of Cynthiana, Darlena (Mark) Brown of Frankfort, Sharon (Patrick) Hill of Cynthiana & Forrest Scott (Christie) Linville of Crestview, Florida; two sisters, Norma Brown & Linda Wiglesworth; two brothers, Kenneth “Kenny” Smiley and Keith Smiley; twelve grandchildren: Michael (Kathy) Linville, Joyce Ann (David) Mullen, Jenny (Stefan) Kendall, Renee (Dan) Upton, Darla (Keith) Grob, Cris (Ginny) Barnes, John (Ashley) Hill, Nick (Erinn) Hill, Tristin (Alex) Linville, Aaron Linville, Ajonte’ Bush (Noelle Bright), & Christion Bush; fourteen great-grandchildren:  Tyler Linville, Katy Linville, Shelby Mullen (Ethan Prows), Austin Mullen, Jackson Kendall, Caitlynn (Phillip) Spencer, Owen Upton, Malcolm Upton, Parker Grob, Riley Grob, Jack Barnes, Conner Hill, Weston Hill & Remi Lou Bush; and one great- great grandson, Grayson Spencer. She is also survived by many nieces & nephews whom she dearly loved, and a very special cousin, Ruth Smiley Finch.

Joyce was a member of the Robinson Christian Church, where she married the love of her life, Buddy Linville on August 8, 1952.  They raised their family to love the Lord and live a life worthy of God’s love. Family meant the world to her and she would beam like a ray of sunshine when her loved ones were with her. The one she loved the most though, was her Lord.  She knew Christ personally. When she entered heaven on August 2, she heard these words, “Well done, Joyce, my good and faithful servant.

In Proverbs 3, it explains the virtues of a good woman. Joyce’s life was a living example of that proverb.  She knew how to properly balance her life using a positive attitude, even when life’s circumstances were just the opposite.  She had the gift of hospitality and always made you feel welcomed and well fed. 

She had a servant’s heart. She loved children. She taught school at Goforth Elementary in Pendleton County, Kentucky, and at Renaker, Berry, and Oddville all in Harrison County, Kentucky.  Later in life after her children were grown, she owned Children’s World Daycare, taught preschool at the United Methodist Church preschool, managed a daycare for the Schmitt’s, was a nanny for the Ford children and kept children in her home daycare.  Joyce touched many children’s lives in her 91 years on her journey through life. 

Services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Drake-Whaley-McCarty Funeral Home officiated by Jeff Jackson with burial to follow in Battle Grove Cemetery.

Her grandsons will serve as casketbearers.

Visitation will be after 5:00 P.M. Friday.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Bluegrass Hospice Care, Robinson Christian Church Building Fund, Milford Christian Church Building Fund or Unity Christian Church Building Fund.

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