The Rev. Dr. Joyce Harkleroad Smith died on May 23, 2025, at the age of 96 (1928-2025).
Joyce was born on September 13, 1928, to William and Pearl Harkleroad. She was raised in Salina and Whitewater KS, in a family of modest means, and endured the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II. In 1950, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kansas. Shortly thereafter, she married Dr. Vernon L. Smith, an experimental economist. While raising their three children, Joyce pursued a call to the ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Divinity in 1967 and later a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1984, both from Meadville Lombard Theological School.
The Rev. Dr. Smith was ordained to the UU ministry on November 5, 1967. She served her first ministry at the First Parish in Sherborn MA, from 1967–1972. In 1974, she accepted a call from the River Road UU Congregation in Bethesda MD, where she would serve until 1980. From 1980 to 1985, she was the director of Congregational and Ministerial Services at the UUA. She supported clergy and lay leaders during a pivotal time in the denomination’s development. In 1985, she returned to the parish and served the Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York NY until 1987.
Following that, she was drawn to interim ministry and provided her services to the following congregations: the First Parish in Waltham MA (1987–1988); the UU Congregation of Atlanta GA (1988–1989); the UU Congregation in Stamford CT (1989–1990); the First Parish UU of Arlington MA (1990–1991); and the First Unitarian Church, Portland OR (1991–1992). She retired from her active ministry in 1992 but continued her services. From 1997–2006, she was an affiliated minister at the Valley UU Congregation in Chandler AZ. She also served part-time at various fellowships in Flagstaff and Glendale AZ, as well as offered a short-term ministry in Adelaide, Australia. Through her parish and interim roles, she nurtured congregations through growth, transition, and transformation. She helped expand the visibility and leadership of women in ministry.
The Rev. Dr. Smith was a powerful preacher. She delivered the Berry Street Essay at Palm Springs General Assembly in 1988 and later gave a sermon at the Service of the Living Tradition.
For the past nineteen years, she lived at a senior living community in Kansas City, where she remained active and engaged. She participated in many on-campus activities, starred in several plays, and worked at the volunteer tax help site.Joyce is survived by her children Deborah Emielita, Eric Smith, and Torrie Smith; her grandson Taliesen Graff; and her ex-husband Vernon Smith.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Association, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210 or Meadville Lombard Theological School, 180 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 700, Chicago IL 60601. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.
Notes of condolence can be sent to Eric Smith at smith990@gmail.com or by snail mail at 2950 Dean Pkwy., Apt. 1406, Minneapolis MN 55416.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.