Joanne “Joni” Ryder Smith peacefully took flight into Jesus’s arms on Christmas Eve  at her home surrounded by love! Born on January 15^th, 1937, she was the second of thirteen children born to Bunny and Spike Ryder in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She attended Catholic schools grades 1-12. In May of 1957 Joanne married Donald Francis and together they raised five children. When her youngest entered kindergarten, she completed her nursing education as a registered nurse at the top of her class at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. She worked 39 years in her nursing profession and retired at the age of 72. After marrying Jerry I. Smith in 2011, they enjoyed many years of dancing, traveling and visiting family and friends.

Joni had the uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way. Her incredible faith sustained her through many of life’s challenges. Some of the many gifts passed on to her children include the encouragement to always take the high road, to never waste energy on worrying but to place their concerns in God’s hands, and to always be generous, loving and grateful for their blessings. Joni’s energy and love of life were unmatched. She was an inspiration to so many. Poet Oscar Wilde once said, “To live is the rarest thing in the world.  Most people just exist.” Joni lived!

She is survived by her daughter Kelly Francis, Chris (Kim) and their children Kacy, Jace and Cole, Connie Francis, Kevin Francis and his two daughters Hailee and Grace. She is preceded in death by son Casey Francis, Donald Francis and Jerry I. Smith. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Joni with a donation to Second Chance Pets.

A rosary and funeral mass will be held on January 15^th starting at 10:00 a.m. at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 3131 El Dorado Blvd., Houston, Texas 77059.