Phyllis "Joyce Colbaugh" Smith

Phyllis Joyce Colbaugh Smith, age 92, of Dayton, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 6, 2026. Born on July 14, 1933, in Decatur, Tennessee, to Charlie and Mattie Colbaugh, she was a lifelong member of the Baptist faith and found deep comfort in her relationship with God throughout her final days.

A kind and caring woman, Joyce was always willing to help others. She remained active in her church for her entire life, faithfully attending Old Washington Baptist Church and later New Union Baptist Church, where she worked in the kitchen preparing meals for countless church gatherings. She and her family were well known for their life along the Tennessee River, where her late husband, Charles, operated the Old Washington Ferry for many decades until the construction of the new Highway 30 bridge.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Charles H. Smith, who passed away on March 23, 2011. Joyce is survived by her sons, Dean (Tammy) Smith and Darryl Smith; grandson Justin; granddaughter Monica and her husband Doug; and her sister Pat and Bob. In her later years, she was lovingly cared for by Darryl, Dean, Tammy, Justin, and Pat.