JoEdna Smith

JoEdna Smith Oxnard, CA JoEdna Smith was born JoEdna Qualls August 3, 1933, the oldest of 7 children, to the union of Reverend C.L. and Ruby Qualls in Sulpher Rock , Arkansas . JoEdna was raised inSanta Monica , California after a family move in 1934. As a youth she attended Santa Monica High School and Ventura College , where she received an accounting degree. With a definitive eye for style, Jo Edna began her professional career in retail dress shops. Later, starting as an account clerk at the Community Action Commission, she progressed with the county through promotions holding several positions as she climbed the ladder. She found the most acclaim as a General Accounting and Collections Units Manager for the County in the Public Social Services Agency, now known as the Human Services Agency. In her 31½ years of dedicated service she was a liaison to other divisions, Auditor’s Office, GSA, ISD, County Council, Risk Management and the general public until her retirement in 2002. Among her colleagues she was respected and admired for not only her work ethic, but for her values and character. JoEdna was an avid book reader and loved to knit and play games with Scrabble, Bid Wiz, and other word games being her expertise. She also enjoyed home decoration, and as a fashionista, she enjoyed shopping for others as much as she did for herself. JoEdna took pride in her hair which was routinely styled by good friend, Mary Powell. She enjoyed sitting at the beach and found serenity at her favorite vacation spot, Pismo Beach . To JoEdna, her family was of utmost importance, being an active planner of family reunions for over 50 years. JoEdna was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend C. L. and Ruby Qualls; one sister, Delores Phillips; four brothers, Lindell, David, Fred and Herman Qualls; and one daughter, Neon Lewis. She leaves to mourn her passing her loving husband of 48 years, James “Smitty” Smith; three daughters, Rochelle, Roberta and Santor; seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and1 great-great grandchild. She leaves behind one sister, Martha Qualls-Hughes; and three foster siblings, Emma Brooks [Calvin], Irene Fort, and Frank Huzzie; sisters in law, Lorraine Qualls and Jarutha Ann Qualls; best friend of 53 years, Helen Smith, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Unlike any other, JoEdna will be remembered for her elegance, grace, unyielding generosity and kind spirit. Please join us on Friday, January 20, 2012 at noon at St. Paul’s Baptist Church located at 1777 Statham Blvd. in Oxnard at a ceremony officiated by Pastors Frank Robinson and David Moore to celebrate JoEdna’s life, spirit, and lasting legacy. The family wishes to acknowledge the multitude of support and sends thanks and sincere appreciation for everyone’s outpouring of love during this time.