Joy Smith

Joy Dawn (Horn) Smith was born on October 29, 2972, in Stilwell, Oklahoma to Jimmy and Joyce Horn. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 22, 2022, at the age of 49 years. She fought a long, hard battle with cancer with strength, dignity, grit, and courage. No person has ever been better named than Joy who spread happiness, joy, and love to every person she met.

She attended school at Peavine Elementary and Stilwell Christian Academy. She met the love of her life and married him on August 28, 1993. She and Matt had three children: Carrie, Andrew, and Beth. While raising her family, she worked as a church secretary. In later years, she worked as a medical coder at the Physicians Clinic in Stilwell.

Joy Dawn had many hobbies. She loved Star Wars, reading, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, shopping, playing the piano, and singing. Her two favorite things to do were spending time with her family whom she loved dearly and serving her God and Savior through her ministry with the children at Baron Baptist Church. She spread joy and kindness to everyone she met and was always ready with a smile and/or a hug.

If Joy Dawn could tell you one thing right now, it would be to make sure you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior. She knew that is the only way to Heaven and she sure wants to see you there with her someday! A special verse to her was 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Joy Dawn leaves behind many to cherish her memory. Those include her husband: Matthew Smith of Westville, Oklahoma; her children, daughter: Carrie Salsman and husband Caleb of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, son: Andrew Smith, and daughter: Bethany Smith both of Westville, Oklahoma; her parents: Jimmy and Joyce Horn of Stilwell, Oklahoma; one sister: Joanie Fuson; one brother: Jim Horn and fiancé Sara; nieces: Samantha, Alexa, Lydia, and Jimma; nephews: Jeff, Jason, Xander, and Kruz; two special girls: Jess and Natalie, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends.