Mrs. Helen J. York

We celebrate the life of Helen Joyce Smith York also known as “Joy” with deep love and joyful memories. Joyce was the third of seven children born on September 9, 1937, to the parentage of John Frank Smith and Carrie Dortch Smith of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family.

Joyce’s education journey began at Mount Olive Elementary School in Rocky Mount and continued at George Washington Carver High School in Tarboro, North Carolina where she graduated in 1955. After graduating from high school, Joyce moved to Washington D.C. Looking to continue her education, she enrolled in Cortez Peters Business College, graduating after completing course requirements for an associate degree and classification as a professional secretary.

After her move to Washington D.C., she joined Canaan Missionary Baptist Church where she became an active member of the choir and a teacher in the Sunday School Youth Department.  Her life in Washington D.C. was impacted one Sunday in February 1960. After leaving service at Canaan MBC, she was approached by a stranger (Will York from Texas) who had just left service at his church, Metropolitan MBC. She allowed Will to walk her home where they exchanged contact information.  After a period of telephone conversations, Will was allowed to visit and eventually to go on dates chaperoned by her younger sister, Yvonne. This relationship was truly orchestrated by God and culminated in a God blessed union and ceremony on February 9, 1933.

Joyce’s work experiences included periods of employment as a secretary and records clerk at Ashton Realty in Washington D.C., NASA – Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and HISD Grimes Elementary School where she retired after 32 years of service.

After marriage and her move to Houston, Joyce became a member of South Union Missionary Baptist Church where she continued her work with the youth of the church. She was one of an awesome trio of Christian women at South Union Missionary Baptist Church (along with Della Harvey and Eva Nell Wooten, deceased) who dedicated their lives to the Christian education of young people. Her tenure at SUMBC included service as a Mass Choir Member, Women’s Chorus member, Sunday School Teacher, Youth and Young Adult Choir Matron, Deaconess and Superintendent of the Junior Department.

She lived a life of humility, faithfulness and precious memories. She had a way with others and was a close and respected friend, mentor, counselor and example to many. Friends and family lovingly referred to her by the following names: Helen, Joyce, Mama Joyce, Nana York, Aunt Joyce, Mauntie and Will’s Joy. She was a phenomenal lady that exuded elegance, grace and influenced many lives. After being diagnosed with ALS during the latter part of life, she accepted her plight with her trust and faith in God enabling her to gracefully endure until God called. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Frank and Carrie Smith, her sister Louise Moore, brother Barry Smith, and son Jeffrey Dion York. She leaves to cherish her memories her devoted husband of 63 years, Will York; daughter Willa Burroughs (John); sisters Yvonne Gaines (Garland) of Washington D.C., Barbara Jackson (Norman) of Riverdale, MD, Ophelia Smith of Rocky Mount, NC; brother Frank Smith (Kathy) of Washington D.C.; granddaughters Taylor Arnwine (Brian), Courtney Neely (Roosevelt); grandsons Jeffrey “Drew” York and Jonathan
Burroughs; great grandchildren Blaise Arnwine, Bostyn Arnwine, Ransom Neely, Titan Arnwine, Shiloh Neely, Sawyer Neely and one on the way; chosen daughter Renita Davis Royal, Godchildren Damien Davis, Tranese Davis, Kenric Harvey, Rayna Harvey and Nathanlyn Joyce Fisher; daughter in love Susan Lede’, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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