Joyce Smith Gurganus

Joyce Ann Smith Gurganus of Jamesville, NC went peacefully to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 23, 2025 from the Transitions Life Care Hospice Center in Raleigh, NC surrounded by her loving family.  Joyce was 83 years old.

Joyce was born to Ida Mae and Jimmy Smith on February 5th of 1942.  She is survived by her husband and sweetheart of 64 years, Warren Gurganus; daughters Roxanne Gurganus Huffman and Julienne Gurganus Vicente and their husbands, Paul and Hector; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and Adagio, her beloved “Medicine Man” Yorkshire Terrier.

Joyce was first and foremost an amazing wife and mother.  Bubba (as known by Juli and Roxanne and all the other neighborhood kids) was an excellent cook, and her family reports that their favorite dishes were her original honeybun cake and her famous vanilla pound cake.  She never wanted anyone to go hungry, and often cooked for church events and shut-ins.  Many of you may remember those homemade biscuits she used to make that would almost melt in your mouth!  In fact, there wasn’t a whole lot that Joyce couldn’t be – cook, beauty queen, seamstress, hairdresser, teacher, etc.  But Joyce’s first love and greatest talent was as a pianist, song writer, and choir director. 

Joyce was a self-taught pianist who won the “Most Talented” superlative her senior year at Farmville High School.  She started out playing “by ear” but eventually taught herself to read music as well.  Over the years, she wrote and produced more than thirty original songs.  Believe it or not, Joyce once performed as an opener for Jerry Lee Lewis at one of his shows in Wilson, NC!  Her love and talent for the piano was obvious every time she touched the keys, and man – she could really “lay it down”!

She spent the years her girls were growing up playing the piano and leading a traveling youth choir – Love Incorporated – with the Gospel Light Church of Christ in Dardens, NC.  After Roxanne and Juli left home, Warren and Joyce moved to the Jamesville Christian Church, where “Miss Joyce” was very loved and admired as the lead pianist and Choir Director for more than 20 years.  She loved producing variations of existing songs that really brought out the talents of the choir members.  And the choir had a lot of fun practicing those versions as well… she always said she looked forward to those “behind the scenes” times.

When she wasn’t playing the piano or writing songs, Joyce attended Mt. Olive College and earned her B.S. Degree in Education.  She taught Adult Basic Education at Martin Community College for nearly 20 years, and loved every minute of it.  She really had a way of connecting with her students, who too often had been labeled as “unable” to learn.

In addition to the family, music and teaching legacies she leaves behind for us, her family and friends will particularly remember Miss Joyce’s loving nature and beautiful soul.  As for us, we have to believe that our Bubba’s now “teaching angels how to sing”.  Her memory will remain in our hearts, minds, and in her music forever.

Online condolences may be made at www.farmvillefh.com.

Arrangements are by Farmville Funeral Home.

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