Joan McCoy Smith

Joan McCoy Smith December 21, 1928 – June 17, 2023 Joan McCoy Smith, 94, wife for 54 years of the late Robert Hewitt Smith, passed away peacefully at Alive Hospice Nashville on June 17, 2023. Joan was born Dec. 21, 1928 and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She graduated from Ursuline Academy, then earned a degree in education from the University of Cincinnati. She met her husband on a blind date at a square dance. Commerce Union Bank brought them to Nashville in 1968. Predeceased by parents, Hilda and Raymond J. McCoy, and beloved sister, Mary (Ernie) Ratterman. She taught 1st and 3rd grades until starting a family. She had three children, Kathleen “Kats” (Mark) Barry, Robert Gerard Smith (deceased in infancy) and Kevin (Kelly) Smith. While raising her children she often referred to her job title of “domestic engineer.” If she met your children she could remember their names and ask about them years later. She loved little children and babies and delighted in her two grandsons, Daniel (Olivia) Smith and Joseph Barry. Her volunteer work included reading tutor at St. Henry School, docent in the Cheekwood Gift Shop, and as one of the “Pink Ladies ” at St. Thomas Hospital. She was a member of the Harpeth Valley Women’s Club, and involved with Cursillo service projects, book clubs and the St. Henry Welcoming Committee. When we think of Mom, we often think of her love of the colors pink and blue, going to mass, fresh flowers, birds, dogs, and following her beloved Cincinnati Reds and Tennessee Titans. She loved football. She had a core group of friends all in their 80s and 90s who explored the newest Nashville restaurants and didn’t let age or canes slow them down. One of her favorite places was traveling annually to the family cottage in Cedarville, Michigan, purchased by her grandfather in 1926. Summer vacation at “The Cottage” off Lake Huron now includes 6th generations of family where she was lovingly called “Gramma Jo” by her grandsons, “Aunt Jo” by her sister’s (Mary Ratterman) children: Linda, Nancy, Susan, Amy, Dan, Jody and Sara. She delighted in hot dogs over a campfire and sitting on the porch watching the children play and the wooden boats cruising the Les Cheneaux Islands. Her smile will be missed at Mary, Queen of Angels Assisted Living where she moved the month of her 94th birthday. Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at St. Henry Catholic Church, 6401 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. Henry Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Beckman, Celebrant with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Henry Catholic Church at 6401 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205 or Alive Hospice at 1710 Patterson St, Nashville, TN 37203.