Joy Monay Smith

Joy Monay Smith was born March 5, 1968 in Murphysboro, IL to William G. Smith and Dolores A. Mosley. She departed this life May 15, 2025 at her home in Belleville, IL.

Joy received her education in the Carbondale Elementary School system where she participated in art activities which allowed her to display her creative abilities in drawings, painting and writing poetry. Upon her admission to high school, Joy transposed her artistic skills at a higher level via music, dance, and sports. She was also her own special designer in that she often designed her own fashion of clothing. In addition to all of the aforementioned activities, she was a real joy to her classmates and teachers. During her four years of high school, Joy was active in basketball, volleyball, and softball. At the completion of high school in 1986, Joy attended John A. Logan College and later graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Rehabilitation Services.

In addition to all of her skills and academic achievements, none exceeded her love for Jesus Christ. Joy accepted Christ at an early age at Rockhill Missionary Baptist Church (Carbondale) where she was an active member of both children and young adult choirs, Sunday School classes and the usher board. The same joy that she displayed at school was the same joy that she showed each Sunday to the members of the church both young and old. Joy’s religious experiences allowed her to worship at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, New Birth Kingdom International Church and Vine Church.

Joy obtained employment in Southern Illinois: Carbondale Clinic, Maytag, Prairie Adult Living and Caring Counseling Ministry (CCM) where she served in different positions until her health began to fail. Although she was no longer able to physically work, she continued to remain positive and prayerful while enduring lots of pain and suffering.

Joy will be remembered not only for her joyful disposition but for her unwavering faith, kindness, and the deep love that she held for her family and community. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Dolores Smith, her son Diamond, and her aunt Bertha Powell.

She leaves behind a loving family who will cherish her memory forever. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Malika Gordon (Josh) , her aunts, Zora Oglesby , Diane Tipton (Darryl), Evelyn Roseman, Sharon Hyche, Mary Mayfield (Melvin), and her uncle Yolande Mosley Ajamu (Donna). Joy leaves a number of very close family members: especially Reginald Miller (Patricia), Calvert Johnson III, JaJuan Smith and Shacon Scott. Her farewell exodus is to her very special support group comprised of: Ma Cookie, Tasha Greer (Terrance), Patricia Wooley, Christine Hughlett, Kenya Dewalt, Cindy Donohue, Kristen Gentry and a host of other loving family and friends.

As Joy made her transition she shouted, “Look At God!”

Ministry of Comfort Lovingly Entrusted to Southern Cremation and Burial Services of Murphysboro, Illinois.