Joan Carol (Smith) Young was born on January 18, 1930, to John and Anna Lee Smith. She is a graduate of Lockland Wayne High School and West Virginia State College and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She taught for more than 30 years in Lockland City Schools before retiring in 1991. Joan was a volunteer at Maple Knoll, reading and visiting with Dorothy, who was legally blind, every Thursday for eleven years.
Joan accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her savior and was baptized at Zion Baptist Church at the age of six under Reverend Reed. She later joined Mount Zion Baptist Church and was a member for over 50 years. In 1996, Joan became a Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church member and remained faithful until her death. Her happiest moments were when she was with her children and grandchildren and when she worshipped God.
Joan is survived by five children, Eric (Stacy) Young, Karen (James) Jones, Vernita Young, Shelly (Otis) Pollard, and Andre Young; ten (10) grandchildren, Shonta, Melanie, Rachelle (Mario), Ryann, Candace, Kevin Jr., Ashley, Andre, Jr., Joanna, and Jada; four (4) great-grandchildren, Tyree, Taylor, Bianca, Ava; two nieces, Carol Cousins, and Stefanie Perry; one nephew, Harry (Janice) Howard, Jr.; and a host of other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin, beloved sister, Ethel Kilgore, and dear friend and sister-in-law, Carolyn White.