Hellon Joyce Smith, a native of Mississippi and a resident of Daphne, Alabama, passed away on March 9, 2023, at the age of 84.
Hellon was born August 8, 1938, in Kokomo, Mississippi and was the youngest of nine children. She was married to Clifford Smith and raised their four children in Lillian, Alabama. She worked as a switchboard operator at Baptist Hospital and retired from Doctors and Nurses Directory in Pensacola.
Hellon loved to bake and made the best red velvet and carrot cakes. She loved her children and doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all of her family and friends.
Hellon was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Smith; her parents, Lester and Hester Rich; brothers, Billy, Clyde, and Glenn; and her sisters, Anne and Anarass.
She is survived by her children, Darrell Smith of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Linda Smith of Daphne, AL, Curtis Smith of Pensacola, FL and Brenda Boyle of Shalimar, FL; her grandchildren, Brandon Van Damme, Raven Junkins, Catherine Boyle, Courtney Boyle, Jason Smith and Ethan Smith; her great-grandchildren, Trace Junkins, Ryan Van Damme, Izzy Van Damme and Hayden Smith; sisters, Wodie Carbone, Bonnie McElroy and Ruby Faye Thomas. Hellon had many nieces and nephews and loved them all. She loved her Retired Air Crew Family from Duke Field and her friends from the Brennity at Daphne and the Garden of Daphne.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, at 11:30AM. There will be a time of visitation before the service at 10:30AM. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at Pensacola NAS at 2:00PM.
Though the family will welcome flowers, they also would appreciate if you choose to send memorial donations in lieu of flowers to St. Joseph Hospice at 17732 Highland Road, Suite G, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.
Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Miss Hellon was my aunt’s next door neighbor at the Brennity (Leatha Stidham) In the past year since we have known her, she had become very dear to our hearts. She welcomed and became very loved by Leatha and will be so missed… they ate all meals together and Hellon was always there to help and support and encourage. She was a very dear and irreplaceable friend. Our prayers and love go to her family with great sincerity and thanks for all the kindness Hellon gave us.
Goodbye. my beloved Sister. You leave me with a treasury of wonderful memories. You recognized my soul.
Rest in peace. Sleep in God”s loving arms.
Bonnie
Aunt Hellon, what a life force you were! Memories of summers at your house in Lillian, with cousins and Uncle Smitty, the energy and laughter, the food and the gumbo, but most of all, your voice – those things will stay with me in my heart forever. You are now with the Lord, and we’ll see you again one day. love, Terry