Joan Smith, daughter of the late William Alfred "Buck" Ridge and Mary Juanita (Hicks) Ridge was born on December 16, 1944, in West Plains, Missouri. She entered into eternal rest on August 13, 2021, at 76 years old.

She was married to Kenneth Gordon Smith on December 19, 1958, in Salem, Arkansas. Together they had four children, Richard Allen, Randall Tyler, Robin Diane, and Russell Ridge. She spent 38 years with life partner J.B. Bell, who preceded her in death on June 9, 2019.

Joan retired from Ozarks Medical Center, where she worked in the housekeeping department for over 30 years. She was known for keeping her own home spotless. She loved Dr. Pepper and her cat Molly.

She is survived by her four children, Rick Smith and wife, Robin of Tunnell Hill, GA, Randy Smith and wife, Connie of West Plains, MO, Robin Ricketts and husband, Mike of Harrison, AR, and Rusty Smith and wife, Crystal of West Plains, MO; one brother, Mike Ridge and wife, Janna of Franklin, MO; one sister, Helen Carte of University City, MO; one sister-in-law, Leslie Ridge of Warrensburg, MO; fifteen grandchildren, Jennifer, Dalton, Josh, Tyler, Jeff, Jeremy, Josh, Wendie, Whitney, Aaron, Makayla, Morgan, Caleb, Ridge, and Lily; nineteen great-grandchildren; special friends, Randy and Becky Malmberg; and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Her parents, "Buck" and Mary Ridge; life partner, J.B. Bell; father and mother-in-law, Bernard and Vinnie Smith; two brothers, William Alfred Ridge, Jr. and Larry Wayne Ridge; seven great-grandchildren, Emily, Kaleb, McKennah, Lindsey, Di'Laine, Ciera, and Jorden preceded her in death.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Dripping Springs Cemetery in West Plains, Missouri with Bro. Ross Hicks officiating, under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 12-1:00 p.m., also at the cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.