Joyce Ann Penwell

Joyce A Penwell, age 76, of Springfield Ohio, gained her wings and went home to be with the Lord & her family on Friday, October 3, 2025. She was born on November 23, 1948. Daughter of Ernest and Helen Smith. Bertha Smith also played at huge part of raising her. She is survived by her daughter Latoyia Penwell; sister, Rosie Pack; grandsons: Christopher Freeman (Jaime Freeman), Larry Davis Jr. & Charles Purcell Jr.; great grandsons: Larry Davis III, Devin Davis, Avery Davis, Leo Davis & Jahseh; granddaughters: Larryah Taylor (Vee Taylor), Mayah Davis & Katherine Lango; great granddaughter A’Riyah Davis, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Penwell; daughter, Maria Wyatt (Freeman); granddaughter, Myranda Davis; sisters: Betty, Beulah Tingley, Emmagene Hensley ,Caroline (Larry) Pummel, & Valerie Cosby; brother, Jackie Smith; brother, in Law Ray Pack; stepmother, Bertha Smith; niece/step daughter, Sondra Penwell. Joyce was a hard worker! She worked in housekeeping at Community Hospital, she loved Church she was a God-fearing woman. Joyce also loved spending time with family. Church and family were her life. She loved listening to music and dancing , doing crafts, coloring, making necklaces, playing bingo, and anything to do with her grand babies. She never missed a chance to be there. Her grandkids were her reason for breathing. Everything she did for anyone was out the kindness of her heart. Joyce has made and left her mark here on earth, she is now free and not in pain anymore dancing in the sky. And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. She will be deeply missed by many. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Richards, Raff, and Dunbar Memorial Home, 838 East High Street, Springfield. The service to honor Joyce will begin at 11:00am with burial following at Rose Hill Burial Park.

She Is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.