Alice Smith Obituary

Alice Joyce Smith (Joyce) died peacefully in her home on August 24, 2024. She lived at Wesley Acres on Grand Ave in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 91 years old. A private family service will be held later.

Joyce was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Helen (Kimzey) Reeves and Wesley Reeves on 4/17/1933. Joyce attended East High School, then Drake University where she majored in Music Performance and minored in Education. She taught English in Des Moines and Indianola, Iowa. After receiving her master’s in education administration, she became Vice Principal at Callahan Middle School, then later at Lincoln High School in Des Moines. She was very active in social/political organizations. She was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority, League of Women’s Voters, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, Plymouth Congregational Church and many others.

She loved playing piano and organ, tennis, and singing in the church choir. She cherished her many friends.
She loved spending time with her 8 grandchildren and was very involved with them. Joyce and Louie would host grandma and grandpa camps each summer while the kids were younger.

Drake University was her favorite pastime. She loved attending civic and music events with her friends. In 2022 she set up the A, Joyce Smith Public Democracy Restricted Fund which will help position Drake as a thought-leader for democratic practice and bipartisan discourse.

Joyce is survived by daughters Stephanie Smith Fowler, (Scott Fowler), Allison Luedtke (Ben Bache-Wiig). Grandchildren Cameron T. Fowler, Annalia Fowler Smith, (Kacey J. Smith), Ross Luedtke, Amelia (Millie) M. Luedtke, (Amber Luedtke) Joseph J. (Joey) Luedtke, Maxwell J. Luedtke, Benjamin L. Huber Smith (Kelli Huber Smith), Emily A. Smith. She is preceded in death by her husband Louis Smith, and son Peter Smith (Tracey Smith). Great grandchild Zanna Huber Smith. She also is preceded in death by her only sibling, Kaye Reeves Carlson. Her life was also blessed by very special people, Robert Scarborough and Brian Luedtke.

Donations can be directed to:
The Joyce Smith Public Democracy Restricted Fund at Drake University
Wesley Acres Assisted Living Department on Grand Avenue Des Moines
A special thanks to all the staff, workers, and residents at Wesley Acres on Grand Ave, who are incredible care givers.

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