Joyce Marie Eshenour Smith, a former longtime resident of Dunedin, Florida and most recently of McKinney, Texas, passed away September 19, 2024 at the age of 85. She was born August 4, 1939, to Lloyd and Mildred (Bell) Eshenour in Rutherford Heights Pennsylvania and had two brothers, Lloyd Eshenour and Jim Jeffries.
Joyce proudly attended the University of Maryland to become a nurse. She worked in the emergency room for many years, the NIC unit and went on to be a night nurse for 25 years in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Her nursing career spanned over 45 years.
Joyce met the love of her life James Fredrick Smith while in college and they married in Maryland on January 16, 1964. They went on to have one boy, James Smith and three daughters: Julie (Edwards), Jeanne (Canal), and Judy Smith. Her beloved children gave her eight grandchildren: Sierra, Savannah, McKinsey Smith, Bayley, Austin and Carson Edwards, and Clayton and Ashley Canal, whom she loved dearly and proudly went by Nana. She was blessed to also become a great grandmother and was thrilled to hear of more babies on the way.
In 1974 Joyce told Jim it was time to pack the bags and move the family some place warmer. They found the little town of Dunedin in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. In addition to raising kids and her nursing career, they began breeding, raising and showing championship English Bull Dogs. Joy-Ru’s Rebel Bulldogs was born and Joyce was known for her extensive knowledge and care in this community. Joyce was determined that all of her children would attend college and Rebel Bulldogs helped fund their children’s educations.
Joyce lost the love of her life when he was just 50 years old and later daughter Judy at just 34, which were devastating blows to the family.
Joyce retired from nursing in 1998 and continued to be active in the Bulldog community. In 2018 she moved to Texas to be closer to family with her newfound love, Lucy, a West Highland Terrier.
Joyce will be missed and never forgotten for her gentle and kind spirit.