Central 1944 Joyce (Smith) Toth

Joyce L. Toth

July 28, 1926 - Apr. 14, 2016

MISHAWAKA - Joyce Toth, age 89, died on Thursday, April 14, 2016, in South Bend, Indiana. From her birth until her death, Joyce nourished the people around her with her love, faith and a fun spirit.

Joyce was born on July 28, 1927, to Velma and James Smith, and was the older of two girls. Joyce adored her younger sister, VelRae. She grew up on Cottage Grove Avenue, where Joyce met her future husband, William Emery Toth, a star basketball player who played for John Wooden at Central High.

Joyce was a talented drummer in the South Bend Central High School band and played in parades, football and basketball games. She marched with the VFW band for many years. When she graduated from high school, she went to work at Studebaker's as a secretary and later became judicial secretary to Judge Whitman with the City of South Bend. Joyce was a member of Saint Paul's United Methodist Church.

Emery and Joyce were married for 64 years until Emery's passing in 2010. They were blessed with three wonderful daughters, Pam Huxhold (Florida), Cheryl Nickerson (South Bend) and Jill O'Connor (Colorado).

Joyce and Emery retired in 1989 and moved to the beach in North Carolina. They enjoyed their retirement and Joyce loved spending time by the ocean, gardening, and creating one of the first church food pantries at Ocean View United Methodist Church.

Left to honor Joyce and remember her love are: her sister, VelRae Singer; her three daughters, Pam Huxhold, Cheryl (Ray) Nickerson and Jill (John) O'Connor; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Emery.

Joyce will be remembered as a bright light in the various churches and communities she served.

A celebration of Joyce's life will be held this summer at her favorite beach -- Oak Island, NC.

At Last....

Published in South Bend Tribune on Apr. 17, 2016

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