Obituary of Shirley Joan Smith

Shirley Joan “JJ” Smith, 85, widow of Rev. John Charles Smith Sr., went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Mrs. Smith was born in Walhalla, SC to the late Arnold Andrew Stargel and Jessie Mae Brewer Stargel. She was a member of Word of Life Ministries. Joan served alongside her husband in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ for over six decades at Pentecostal Holiness and Church of God ministries throughout South Carolina and Texas. She was gifted as a piano player, and used her gift as a blessing to others. She enjoyed sewing and cherished being “Mama J” to her grandbabies. Surviving are a son, Rev. John Smith Jr. and wife Jeanie; two daughters, Rhonda Dill and husband Gervase, and Rene McElhannon; two sisters, Brenda Garrison and husband Richard, and Jane Conenour and husband Don; seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Jerry “Bud” Stargel; and a sister, Nancy Stargel.