Joyce Smith Buttram passed away unexpectedly on January 1, 2020, at the age of 81. She was born on March 19, 1938, in a cabin in McCall Creek, Mississippi, to Carl Smith and Luna Blount Smith. Joyce learned to work hard as a child, a trait that would serve her well throughout her lifetime. Her kind and loving nature led her to choose nursing as her career. After many years of working at Doctor Hospital in Shreveport, Joyce became a plant nurse for Universal Oil Products in Mooringsport, Louisiana. Next, she worked for Schumpert Hospital where she created their Occupational Medical Department. Later, she became the plant nurse for General Electric in Shreveport. In 2001 she was recognized as General Electric Worldwide Nurse of the Year.Joyce is survived by: her son Phillip Flanagan and his wife Patti of Kansas City, Missouri; her daughter Jennifer Flanagan Morris and her husband Robert of West Monroe, Louisiana; her sisters Barbara Jo Stoll and Mary Alice Harris, both of Shreveport, Louisiana; her grandchildren, Kenneth Bryan and wife Courtney, Steven Flanagan and wife Katie, Branston Flanagan, Brooklyn Morris, and Seth Morris; and her great-grandchildren Hallie Greer Flanagan and Mack Flanagan. She is also survived by former husbands Charles Flanagan and Bill Buttram. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Billy Smith, and sister Patricia Smith Seymour.Her family was everything to Joyce, she loved them with all of her heart. She was a wonderful person who taught her children and grandchildren to fit into any situation with grace. Joyce was the life of the party, was adored by everyone who knew her, and never met a stranger. She could dress up and be glamorous, but as her grandson said, She could wear blue jeans, have worm dirt on her hands, and still turn heads. Adored by her grandchildren, she made sure to fill every moment with them with love and joy. She took them on walks through the woods to look for treasures and taught them all she could. Her arms were always ready for a hug, and her lap was always available for a child.Joyce life is now a beautiful memory for those of us left behind. There will be a graveside service and Christian burial in the Ephesus Cemetery in Red Lick, Mississippi, at 2:30 PM on January 4, 2020. (GPS destination: Intersection of Dennis Cross Roads Road and Ephesus Road, Red Lick, Mississippi.)Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com