Joyce Jean Williams, 91

Joyce Jean Williams, 91 of Portsmouth, died Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus. She was born June 27, 1935 in Portsmouth, to the late Reuben Manuel and Laura Mae Nolen Smith.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by: her husband of 71 years, James Arthur Williams, whom she married on December 20, 1953; a brother, Eugene Smith, and three sisters; Lilian Eileen Wright, Lena Virginia (Ginger) Martin and Ruby Louise Clausing.

Joyce received a full scholarship to Ohio University, but chose to defer utilizing her scholarship for marriage. She later earned her education degree and began her teaching career.

Joyce retired after 30 years of teaching mathematics in the Washington Nile School District, the majority of which was at Portsmouth West High School. She was a beloved and highly valued teacher. Joyce honored the requests for academic help of any student who requested it, even in evening and weekend hours.

She was a committed Christian and a former member of Rehobeth Mission Church in West Portsmouth and later of Temple Baptist Church in Portsmouth. She truly enjoyed volunteering in the cradle ministry at Temple Baptist and visiting shut-ins with her late husband, James.

Joyce is survived by two sons, James D. (Lynn) Williams and Michael A. Williams; two daughters, Debra (John) Payne and Lisa Mathisen, four grandchildren; Joshua Williams, Jared (Jaimee) Williams, Nathan Williams, and Nicholas Payne; and three great-grandchildren; Makenna Williams, Hayley Williams and Reagan Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24 at Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth, with John Gowdy officiating and interment in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 23 and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com.