Joël Micele Smith

Joël Micele Smith, age 77, of Gulfport passed away peacefully on December 20, 2022.

Born November 23, 1945, Joël was a lifelong resident of Gulfport. She graduated from Perkinston Junior College in 1965 and was a member of the Perkettes Dance Team. Joël was a lifetime member of St. James Catholic Church and a member of the Legion of Mary for over thirty years, where she was a past president. The daughter of John and Mary Micele, Joël managed the family’s Deep South Motel for many years.

Joël was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Micele; her father and mother-in-law, Frank and Evangeline Smith; and her daughter-in-law, Charlotte Smith.

Joël is survived by her loving and devoted husband of fifty-seven years, C.V. “Chuck” Smith; her son, Chad Smith; daughter, Natalie Batia (Kempton); grandchildren, Clay Smith, Cassie Smith, Presley Batia, Amory Batia; and great-granddaughter, Riley Ann Hargrove.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, Cowan Road, Gulfport.  Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Smith family.

Joël was peaceful, humble, a devoted member of the Catholic faith, and always a loving mother and wife.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. James Catholic School and St. James Catholic Church.