Joan Alice (Hayes) Smith

Joan Hayes Smith, 82, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care.

Born in Lee County, Joan was the daughter of the late John Alan Hayes and Eula Stone Hayes. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Edward Hayes.

Joan dedicated her career to caring for others as a Registered Geriatric Nurse before her retirement. She enjoyed traveling, tending to her garden, and creating crafts. She was an avid collector of Hallmark Christmas ornaments and found great joy in her family. Joan dearly loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her daughter, Lora Wright and husband, Steve; her son, Alan Smith and wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Katie Warren and husband, Roy, Jamie Vance, Jacob Smith, and Colton Smith; step-grandson, Steven Wright; and great-grandchildren, Cheyanne and Addison Warren.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at cool Springs Baptist Church.

Joan's kindness, devotion to her family, and caring spirit will be remembered always.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan Alice (Hayes) Smith, please visit our floral store.