Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | MS

Obituary For Joyce Patricia Smith

Joyce “Momma Jay” Smith passed away suddenly on the early morning of Labor Day, September 6, 2021. She was 64. Just four days shy of her 65th birthday. While her death is untimely. It seems fitting that this woman who ran a 38-year-old clothing business and single-handedly raised four children, made her final respite on a federal holiday designed to honor the American worker.

Momma Jay was not one of the idle hands. Besides caring for her family, she was also the hub of the wheel in her community. There wasn’t a stranger she didn’t know or anyone around her that would go without. Particularly when it came to anything involving fabric and food. An avid cook, it wasn’t uncommon to leave Momma Jay’s home with a southern homecooked meal and new custom clothing. Focusing on hard-to-find sizes she designed uniforms for healthcare workers, prom dresses, bridal gowns, menswear, tailored suits, and even embroidered and crocheted quilts. Frankly, there wasn’t anything Momma Jay couldn’t do with a needle or a sewing machine.

Born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Momma Jay was the second among four children by Onie Julius and Ora Dell Smith of Kosciusko, Mississippi. Joyce ‘Momma Jay’ was second to the eldest and was born September 10, 1957. Her parents, a part of the Great Black Migration to the North also had Delbert Smith of Muskegon, Michigan, their oldest, Carolyn Smith-Alvarado of Newark, Delaware, their third child, and Ellanor Smith of Seattle, Washington (Deceased), the youngest.

At an early age, Momma Jay was already an entrepreneur. Graduating from Buena Vista High School of Saginaw, Michigan in 1975, she’d created a career with a handy down sewing machine and a desire to dress those who were hard to fit. Studying fashion design at the area’s local community college she left Saginaw after the death of her parents and opted to move her business closer to family in Mississippi. Momma Jay set her shop in her beloved Aunt Jessie Tucker’s Kosciusko home and later expanded her business to Jackson, Mississippi.

A nurturing mother, she loved beyond her own children, Jessella Smith, her twin children, Mariah and Michael Carter and Domonique Carter. All with careers and education that span from the food industry, culinary arts, cosmetology, and the medical field. Like their mother, her offspring represent the creative spirit and service-mindedness she exemplified. The grandmother of eight adorable grandchildren; Joi Carter, Jocelyn Jones, Xymeria Drone-Carter, Ava Smith, Lilly Carter, Steven Jones, SaVaughn Jones, and Michael Carter, Jr. It is no wonder she was known as Joyce Momma Jay Smith. It would seem her ability to care for others was as big as the name she made for herself.

Guest Book

What can I say about this lady! You are one of a kind! It's crazy I met you as my cousin's girlfriend mama, and y'all as a family became people I cared about. I will miss your realness, your advice. You always had some information, some insight. You are one for the most creative people I've ever met in real life. I'm so sorry I didn't give you the full chance to pass some of that skill to me! You were impactful, you were beautiful, and you were appreciated!! Love you always - Angela Stone ❤️

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I remember when I first met Mama Joyce lol she didn't hold back anything whatever she wanted to say oh she definitely did. Always a warm spirit and definitely made you feel welcomed in her home.

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I met this amazing woman at Hancock Fabric initially I was suppose to go to her house for her to help me with one thing some how I ended up going to her house for about 9 years or so. You started of as a teacher and turned into a bonus mom a bonus aunt and a dear friend. I remember one day we were out and glanced over and thought how is one of my dearest friends in her 60s lol. Ms. Joyce I'm going to miss you so much right now I can't look at a sewing machine fabric nothing but I can't be selfish because your talent and spirit will live through me. I'm so grateful for the time we got to spend together you know I loved you and I know you love me. I'm going to miss coming your house or answering your calls hearing " hey Miss SaVaughn or hey my other baby". Get your rest sweet sweet lady. I'll miss you every day ❤️

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Westhaven Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. | MS