Billie Joyce Pilkington Smith, lovingly known as “Nanny,” passed away on August 26, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and family. Joyce was born on May 24th, 1943, at her family home in Oxford, Alabama, just off Main Street. She was the daughter of Merle Black Pilkington and John Bill Pilkington. She grew up in Coldwater, AL with her sister Julia, and her brothers Jimmy, Dan, Mike, and Allen. Joyce and her family moved to Munford, Alabama when she was in the ninth grade, and she was a diligent student at Munford High School.
It was there she met her soulmate, Thomas A. Smith, affectionately called “Bud” or “Buddy.” It was not long before they got married on November 18, 1961, and started a loving family of their own, adding two children Geoff and Gina. Together, they built a beautiful life and enjoyed 62 years and 9 months of marriage.
She found joy in shopping, traveling, collecting jewelry, playing Mexican train dominoes, and going above and beyond to make every family gathering one to remember with decorations, amazing food, and plenty of laughs. She was an active member of her community and served as church treasurer, NARFE District VP, and a devoted Scout Master’s wife. Joyce was known for her generosity, selflessness, and unwavering support of her loved ones. She was always interested in what you needed, what was going on in your life, and always found a way to help or give an encouraging word. She consistently put the needs and wants of those she loved ahead of her own, and she would not have it any other way. She would say she was most proud of the family that she and her husband built.
She was the heart and soul of her family—a loving wife, sister, mother, and grandmother. She had a playful sense of humor, an insatiable love for sweets, a deep memory bank of beloved family recipes, and was always a phone call away.
Joyce is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas “Bud” Smith, her sister Julia (Lee), brother Mike, and her two children, Geoff, and Gina. She loved and was loved by five grandchildren, three great grandsons, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Her sweet memory will live in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her, a testament to a life well-lived and deeply loved.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association by clicking here https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=51079&51079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_google&s_subsrc=giving_google&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw28W2BhC7ARIsAPerrcLitLrO9URYNNKzhTtjH5PjEcOzyvGoT4jo_954dxcpkRb-hlMKeRMaAsAJEALw_wcB
