In Memory Of
Joy Claudia Smith
1941
2024
Joy Claudia Smith
November 15, 1941 — April 28, 2024
Joy Claudia Smith, age 82, of Green Bay, passed away on April 28, 2024, at home surrounded by her family after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born on November 15, 1941, to Clarke and Caroline (Trunec) White in Chicago, Illinois.
Joy was an Entrepreneur, and worked with many different companies throughout her life but always had a knack for sales. She also ran a county certified daycare for many years. She also was a fan of standard-sized poodles and raised several during her lifetime, including an award-winning show dog, Rags.
She grew up with three sisters who cherished her as they grew up together with her in Chicago. The three would often accompany her after she contracted polio at the age of 4 and used crutches until the age of 16 when she began using a wheelchair, and later powerchair. She was known as the Woman on Wheels (WOW) or Metal Mama by those who were close to her, and always had a knack for technology. She later fell in love with an electrician who shared her love for innovation and encouraged her endeavors.
On June 20th, 1964, she married Marvin James Smith. The couple spent 56 wonderful years together in Illinois and Wisconsin. Following her husband's passing, Joy moved to Oneida and Green Bay with her daughter and granddaughter, Kymberley and Adrianna.
She was a Jehovah's Witness with her husband and her children. She made an impression on every congregation she was part of, often enjoying participating in letter writing, phone witnessing with her friends, Connie, Liz, and Kris, and often would share magazines and brochures in waiting rooms during her many doctor visits.
Joy is survived by her sisters, Hope and Gail, her children; Kymberley Estelle Pelkey, and Edward Clarke Smith, five grandchildren; Forrest James Edward Pelky (Jennie,) Eliza Starr Merrie Skenandore (Shawn,) Jeremiah Nigel Matthew Pelky (Sophia,) Trapper Henry Blaze Pelky, and her youngest granddaughter and caregiver, Adrianna Claudia Carline Pelky, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dawn, her husband, her daughter-in-law; Gina Helen Smith, and her son-in-law; Peter James Pelkey.
The Metal Mama will be treasured always and is missed.
Joy was an Entrepreneur, and worked with many different companies throughout her life but always had a knack for sales. She also ran a county certified daycare for many years. She also was a fan of standard-sized poodles and raised several during her lifetime, including an award-winning show dog, Rags.
She grew up with three sisters who cherished her as they grew up together with her in Chicago. The three would often accompany her after she contracted polio at the age of 4 and used crutches until the age of 16 when she began using a wheelchair, and later powerchair. She was known as the Woman on Wheels (WOW) or Metal Mama by those who were close to her, and always had a knack for technology. She later fell in love with an electrician who shared her love for innovation and encouraged her endeavors.
On June 20th, 1964, she married Marvin James Smith. The couple spent 56 wonderful years together in Illinois and Wisconsin. Following her husband's passing, Joy moved to Oneida and Green Bay with her daughter and granddaughter, Kymberley and Adrianna.
She was a Jehovah's Witness with her husband and her children. She made an impression on every congregation she was part of, often enjoying participating in letter writing, phone witnessing with her friends, Connie, Liz, and Kris, and often would share magazines and brochures in waiting rooms during her many doctor visits.
Joy is survived by her sisters, Hope and Gail, her children; Kymberley Estelle Pelkey, and Edward Clarke Smith, five grandchildren; Forrest James Edward Pelky (Jennie,) Eliza Starr Merrie Skenandore (Shawn,) Jeremiah Nigel Matthew Pelky (Sophia,) Trapper Henry Blaze Pelky, and her youngest granddaughter and caregiver, Adrianna Claudia Carline Pelky, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Dawn, her husband, her daughter-in-law; Gina Helen Smith, and her son-in-law; Peter James Pelkey.
The Metal Mama will be treasured always and is missed.
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