Jo Alice Smith, 88, passed away on September 21, 2026, at Bristol Village Memory Gardens in Waverly, Ohio.
Jo Alice was born on March 29, 1938, in Salyersville, Kentucky. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ, her church family at New Covenant, and the dear friends she made throughout her life. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, lovingly known to her grandchildren as “Mamaw Alice.” She loved her family deeply and will be dearly missed.
Jo Alice’s upbringing in the hollers of Kentucky remained an important part of who she was throughout her life. She passed along to her children and grandchildren the stories of where she came from, the value of hard work, the importance of church and community, and the belief that we should always strive to make things a little better for those around us.
She also passed along some practical lessons—like making sure the beds were made and dishes were washed every morning, because, as she reminded her family, “You never know who may show up at your house!” It was those simple lessons that became part of Mamaw Alice and part of the memories her family will carry with them.
Jo Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Smith, her parents, Archie and Minnie Earle (Bailey) Patrick, and her siblings, Gale Patrick, Bob Patrick, Donny Patrick, and Gary Patrick.
She is survived by her children, Chris Smith and his wife, Jodi, and grandchildren Dalton and Kacey; Jill Smith York and her husband, Peter, and grandchildren Bailey and Wesley York; and Jennifer Smith Walters and her husband, Danny, and grandchildren Makenzie Lachowski and her husband, Matt, and Silas Walters. She is also survived by her sister, Becky Neufarth.
Jo Alice leaves behind a family who will continue to carry her stories, her strength, her faith, and the lessons she taught them. Her Kentucky roots ran deep, and the values she carried from those hills will live on through the generations who loved her.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2026, at New Covenant Church, Waverly, Ohio, with Pastor Michael Blevins officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Union Cemetery, Bridge Street, Waverly, Ohio.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 until the service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to New Covenant Church, Children’s Department, in Memory of Jo Alice Smith.
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Boyer Funeral Home.