Joan Smith Humpherys

Joan Smith Humpherys passed away on December 30, 2025 from natural causes at the age of 95, valiant in her faith and true to her testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ. Born to parents Percy Eugene Smith and Gladys Dopp Smith on April 29, 1930, she came into this world alongside her twin sister Janee. Logan was Joan’s home town where she attended Ellis Elementary, Logan Jr. High and graduated from Logan High in 1948 and amazingly stayed in touch with many of her old classmates even up until her passing.

Joan continued on with her education for 2 years at Utah State University but put her education on hold when her eternal companion, Boyd Humpherys, came into her life. She recalls first seeing him walk along a street in Logan and having the impression that she would some day marry him. Boyd and Joan were married in the Logan Temple on August 21, 1950. After making their new home together in Logan, they had the opportunity the following year to move to Salt Lake City with Boyd’s new employment. They eventually settled down with a little more permanency in Bountiful where they purchased their first home. Joan and Boyd made many good friends both in Salt Lake City and Bountiful and maintained these close friendships throughout their lives. Joan thrived on having close friends and always said you can never have enough.

Joan always wanted a large family and to be a “stay at home mom” and she was blessed with that opportunity on both accounts. While living in Salt Lake City, six children joined their family; twins Richard and Robert, Nancy, Judy, John, and Kathryn. In the summer of 1960 Boyd had an opportunity to accept employment from USU so the family moved back to the Logan area and purchased the old family home on Riverdale Avenue in River Heights from Boyd's mother. Shortly after the move, two more children, Jeanne and Janet, were born into the family. But this was not the extent of the happy home environment that Joan and Boyd created. They eagerly welcomed into their home six Navajo children during the school months for over a period of 11 years. They were Sherman, Eugene, Valentina, Amelia, Cynthia and Serena; some of whom maintained contact with Joan and family up until days before her passing. She welcomed, loved and nurtured these children as her own. During this very busy time of raising the family, Joan and Boyd also hosted many International students from Iraq, India, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, China, Korea and various other places around the world.

Joan had the “gift of gathering” and enjoyed immensely the opportunity to socialize. Her greatest joy was to be visited by her children and grandchildren. She organized many family gatherings and reunions using every possible excuse to pull family together both close family members as well as distant relatives. There was never a dull moment at the Humpherys household during these memorable events with most of them ending up in a big water fight amongst cousins that often expanded to all the adults. Joan never had this on her activity agenda but there was always someone that added it in for her. Towards the end of Joan’s life, these activities became quite large as the posterity grew but that never caused her any worry.

Joan’s affinity for friends and desire to gather in as many as possible was put to work when Joan and Boyd were called to serve two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The first was to Melbourne Australia in 1991-1992 and then to Bangalore India in 1994-1995. In both of these missions, Joan and Boyd brought the gospel to many people and created many dear friends who maintained contact throughout their lives. This desire to serve other people did not end here but continued in 1997 where they were called to serve for 12 years in the Logan Temple.

Joan’s testimony was strengthened by all the opportunities to serve others in various callings in the Primary, Young Womens, Relief Society and Stake positions. Her example of service both at home and in church has been an example to all her children and posterity. Joan would never accept “I can’t do it” from her children and had a very strong will, determination, and conviction to responsibility. These skills and traits have been passed down to her children and the rest of her posterity as she prepared the next generation to succeed.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, older sister Valerie, husband Boyd, grandson Mark Rappleye, and granddaughter Amee Humpherys. She is survived by her sister Janee (David Walker), brother Sidney (Jenneene), sister Susan (James Randall), son Richard (Dauna Seamons), son Robert (Ann Seamons), daughter Nancy (John Rappleye), daughter Judy (Alan Gibbons), son John (Janet Thomas), daughter Kathryn (Mike Bullen), daughter Jeanne (Clint Leyland), and daughter Janet Mathews. She was proud and grateful for a wonderful posterity and lineage of 8 children, 42 grandchildren, over 100 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

The Humpherys family would like to sincerely thank the professional staff at Maple Springs Assisted Living for the compassionate and loving care given to Joan during this difficult time. She formed friendships and memories with many staff members and residents at the facility that she no doubt cherished and took with her.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 10th 2026 at 12:00 PM at White Pine Funeral Chapel, 753 South 100 East in Logan. A viewing will be held prior from 10:00-11:30 AM. Interment will directly follow the funeral in the Logan City Cemetery.

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