Joyce Peoples-Smith

Joyce Ann Peoples Smith, affectionately known to family and friends as “Ducky,” transitioned on June 5, 2024, at MedStar: Southern Maryland Hospital Center. Ducky was born on March 9, 1959, the youngest child of Thomasine L. Hunter and James E. Smith at Gallinger Municipal (renamed DC General) Hospital in Washington, D.C. From an early age, Ducky’s spiritual journey was marked by her deep connection to her faith. Baptized early, she remained steadfast in her Christian beliefs, fostering a solid spiritual foundation. Ducky attended Logan Elementary, Stuart Junior High (Stuart-Hobson Middle), and Theodore Roosevelt High School (Rough Riders) in the District of Columbia Public School Systems. After high school, Ducky embraced the joy of matrimony in her first union with her high school sweetheart, Nathaniel Aubrey Peoples. They welcomed Antwane, Nathaniel Jr., Desmond, and Michelle during this marriage. She embraced a bonus son, Anthony, during her second marriage to Donald Smith Jr.. She embraced love and companionship at each stage of life. She was a loving and devoted mother whose legacy lived through her children. Ducky was a master of many trades. Creativity ran through her blood. Since childhood, she was gifted with doing hair. She mastered the art of cornrowing and creating new and upcoming styles. Her first job was as the neighborhood braider. She would do all the neighborhood kid’s hair on her front porch for a fee. By age 14, her father allowed her to get her first job in a hair salon braiding on H Street NE. Throughout her 40-year career, Ducky worked in the private industry, DC government, and the Federal Government: Giant Food INC warehouse- floral department creating arrangements, DC Public School Systems, Project/Program Managers for Government Environmental Consulting companies within Internal Revenue Services (IRS), US Pentagon, and Department of Interior as a government contractor. Later, she transitioned into the Federal government as an employee with the Architect of the Capitol. She truly enjoyed her time on Capitol Hill, from volunteering on various committees and socializing with colleagues to meeting Politicians and celebrities such as Denzel Washington. After retiring from the Federal Government, nervous energy ran through her blood. She traveled with family and friends, attended arts and crafts workshops, worked for a Security company, and volunteered at Francis Scott Key Elementary School. She served on the Food Ministry, was a Seamstress for the Drama and Essence of Praise Dance Ministries, and was a member of the Sunday School at Alexander Memorial Baptist Church. She loved arts and crafts, from sewing to knitting to creating masterpieces from scraps. She had an eye for innovation. Whether it was preparing for holiday décor or any artistry vision that allowed her to visit Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree, or Walmart with the concept of creating something, she even made friends with the store employees due to her frequent visits. Ducky loved fashion in every form and took great pride in her appearance. She loved to do her hair and get it done. Her motto was, “Your appearance should never reflect your circumstance. Trust God, hold your head up high, and keep moving.” Ducky was a kind, gentle, soft-spoken soul, but her personality was no-nonsense. She was quiet, but her voice was heard when it was time to express her opinion. She was outgoing and compassionate, helping anyone in any circumstance. Ducky is preceded in death by her sons, Nathaniel Jr. and Desmond; ex-husband, Nathaniel; parents, Thomasine Hunter, James Smith, and Mary Bealle; grandson, Anthony Smith Jr.; brothers, James Jr, Edward, Maurice, Theodore, Mack, Charles, and Charmaine, sister; Thomasine and sister in love; Dolores Brown—Uncle George Smith and Aunts; Mary Elizabeth Smith, Barbara Hunter, and several nieces and cousins. Ducky is survived by her sons and daughter, Antwane, Anthony, and Michelle. Her daughter-in-law, Marlene, and her grandchildren, Brittney, Malia, Shola, Desmond Jr., Arjunahlisa, Mathias, Josiah, Donavan, Naomi, and Dani. Her great-grandchildren are Sebastian, Abagail, Aubrey, and Samauri. Her sisters are Marion, Frances, Kathleen, and Laura, and her brother William and his sister-in-law Beverly Smith—host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.

Tributes

Joyce Peoples-Smith

March 9, 1959 - June 5, 2024